How Antoine Semenyo became the top transfer target in the Premier League

View 2 Images

Antoine Semenyo has quickly made a name for himself this season at the Vitality Stadium and is now become one of the hottest names in the Premier League after just seven matches in the top tier of English football. With Bournemouth sitting in the Champions League spots, the forward has been earmarked as a potential top target for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United already .

With almost 82% of the goal involvements for the Cherries already this season, Semenyo has quickly made the case that he is the talisman the Andoni Iraola's side has been lacking to push themselves to the heights of European football. Bournemouth were so close last season before picking up just three wins in their last 13 matches saw them drop from 6th - and a Europa League spot - to 9th.

Still the positives were there with Iraola guiding his side to their first ever top 10 finish in the Premier League which is incredible considering just 16 years ago they narrowly missed out on relegation from the Football League altogether. The club needed someone instrumental to step up to the mark and really hit the ground running - it maybe a 38-game marathon season but the Premier League is unforgiven if you are left to rue missed chances. Enter Semenyo.

After his best season so far in his professional career with 13 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League, Semenyo had all the markings of the main man the Cherries needed to get them over the next hurdle of securing European football. This weekend they find themselves facing Crystal Palace who are enjoying their first European campaign in the Conference League and the former Bristol City forward is 3/1 with Betfred to score anytime at Selhurst Park.

View 2 Images

Right now, the forward has already netted in six times in the league which included braces against Liverpool on the opening night of the new season and against Fulham before the international break. His involvements have been lethal to opponents too with assists against Wolves, Brighton and Fulham - all at home - securing a maximum nine points too. The only times he has blanked was away at Tottenham - the only time he has received a booking but Bournemouth still won - and at home in a goalless draw to Newcastle.

Nine goal involvements in seven appearances is not something to quickly dismiss at either as at the time of writing this only Erling Haaland has a better record with 10 involvements. For comparison, Semenyo has outdone Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz combined - although Wirtz is yet to actually break his duck it still emphasises Semenyo's ability on the big stage.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian international has had somewhat of an unorthodox CV in comparison to his peers and rivals. A youth product in Bristol City's academy programme, Semenyo had spells at National League South side Bath City before temporary switches at Newport County and Sunderland. On reflection, it seemed nothing spectacular happened with only six goals in the 55 appearances he had - but he failed to find the mark for the Black Cats in League One.

He soon found his feet as a first-team regular for the Cherries just five seasons ago and earned the nod with a permanent transfer to Bournemouth three years later. Apart from the free signing of Darren Randolph, Semenyo was the cheapest signing that season at £10.5 million with winger Dango Ouattara (£20m) plying his trade at Brentford and centre-back Illia Zabarnyi (£24m) now at PSG.

The recruitment has been solid at Bournemouth in recent years and Semenyo is testament to that with the Cherries now finding themselves in serious contention for a spot in Europe. They sit in the Champions League spots right now and while that is a stretch - currently 8/1 with the bookies - the Dorset club find themselves as solid outsiders for a top six finish at 2/1 which are solid odds for a team aiming for a spot in the Europa League this season.

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here .

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.