Antoine Semenyo: Manchester City close to agreeing terms with Bournemouth attacker

Although Semenyo conceded a penalty in the draw against Chelsea, she showed what Bournemouth would lose if they left with two long shots into the penalty area, leading to two goals for the visiting team.

At the end of the match, while he was applauding the away fans as if saying goodbye, some of his teammates came up to hug him.

Semenyo has scored nine goals and provided three assists for Bournemouth this season and teammate David Brooks said his departure would be a huge loss.

“I’m not going to sit here and say he didn’t leave space,” the Wales international told BBC Match of the Day.

“He’s our top scorer and he’s been a very, very good player for us over the last few years.

“Everyone on our team loves Ants and if he joins anyone else we wish him the best, he deserves it.”

Former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “An extraordinary three-and-a-half seasons as a Bournemouth player; the problem with Andoni Iraola is how do you change him? How do you change his numbers?”

“He is an outstanding player who will fulfill the best wishes of Bournemouth fans. He has been the best player for them.”

Former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker Dion Dublin said Semenyo’s departure would feel like losing multiple players for Bournemouth.

“As a manager you might think to yourself: ‘Bring in the money, I’ll support myself as a coach’ and I’m sure Iraola would too,” he added.

“But Semenyo is such a big player that it’s like we lost two or three players.”