The Athletic FC Podcast: Ornstein Transfer Latest – Is Semenyo on the Move?

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Ayob Akimolere
Guests: David Ornstein, Dan Kilpatrick, Karl Anker, Dean Holden

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Bournemouth's in-form forward Antoine Semenyo. Host Ayob Akimolere brings together top insiders David Ornstein, Dan Kilpatrick, Karl Anker, and special guest Dean Holden (former Bristol City head coach) to analyze the potential January move, reveal details of Semenyo’s release clause, explore interested clubs, and provide unique insight into the player's development. The panel also discusses the impact of loan spells on young players and what makes Semenyo such a unique talent, all while debating his best possible destination.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Breaking the Semenyo News: The Release Clause and Market Dynamics

Starts at 01:08

• David Ornstein unveils a major transfer story: Semenyo has a £65 million release clause at Bournemouth which becomes active for a brief period in January, and again (at a lower fee) in the summer.
  • The clause is “available to all clubs, not just certain suitors.” [03:19]
  • Semenyo only signed a new contract in July 2025, surprising many given top-six clubs’ interest at the time.
  • Bournemouth’s strategy: Insert clause to convince Semenyo to stay, balancing player ambition with club interests.
  • If the clause is triggered in January, it's only open for about 10 days to allow Bournemouth to find a replacement.

Quote:

“I think it was quite clear at the time that Semenyo signed that deal… you immediately thought to yourself, what have they done to convince him to sign? The obvious assumption is that they’ve inserted a release clause or they've got an understanding with him… and then, yeah, we established… that that release clause stands at £65 million. It's applicable immediately.”
— David Ornstein [01:57]

• Premier League interest comes mostly from Liverpool, Man City, and Tottenham.
• If Semenyo stays until summer, his clause reactivates at a lower price.
• Bournemouth remain “mature and philosophical” about his future.

2. Which Clubs are Circling? Spurs, Liverpool, City, and United

Starts at 04:57, revisited at 34:17

• Tottenham: Already showed serious interest. They crave a left-sided forward after strengthening elsewhere. In the post-Levy era, could the new regime make a January statement?
  • “Doing this deal in the first 10 days of the window… would be a massive statement.”
    — Dan Kilpatrick [05:42]
• Liverpool: Strong links given Sporting Director Richard Hughes signed Semenyo at Bournemouth.
  • “There’s a clear link there… business done between the clubs, the admiration is definitely there…”
    — David Ornstein [07:43]
• Man City: Monitoring wide forwards due to evolving tactical needs.
• Manchester United: Looked at Semenyo last summer but opted for Bryan Mbeumo. Room for speculation, but likely focus on other positions and finances mean a summer move would be more realistic.
• Arsenal/Newcastle: Arsenal seem well-stocked and would need sales first. Newcastle, while ambitious, have fulfilled wide needs elsewhere and face financial constraints.
  • “I’m not hearing them as at this moment in time being in the frame for Semenyo…”
    — David Ornstein, on Newcastle [12:13]

3. Why the Buzz? Semenyo’s Skill Set and Numbers

Starts at 06:01

• Nine goal involvements (6G, 3A) in 11 Premier League matches.
• “Very, very two-footed, particularly when shooting… comfortable both flanks, diligent presser, defend[s] from the front.”
  — Karl Anker [06:15]
• An inside forward, offers versatility and tactical flexibility.
• Compared as a hypothetical successor to Mohamed Salah.
  • “If you’re on that list [Salah’s potential successors], you’ve got the potential to be one of the best Premier League players for the next two or three years for sure.”
    — Karl Anker [06:47]

4. The Player’s Perspective: Insights from Dean Holden

Starts at 16:19

• Dean Holden recounts Semenyo’s unconventional late start in academy football (“came in late, wanted to finish A-levels, joined at 18”).
  • "First thing I thought when I seen him… How on earth has a top club not picked this boy up?” [16:54]
• Semenyo’s “raw attributes”: Size, pace, power, balance, and two-footedness were obvious even at 18.
• His development was self-driven, not overcoached—a product of backyard football and “finding his own way.”
• Relatable, grounded personality, unaffected by early setbacks, stays calm and confident under pressure.
  • “You see him on the pitch, you know when he gets whacked in by a fullback or a center back, he just gets up and smiles… he doesn't seem to get involved in the emotional side of the game…”
    — Dean Holden [19:58]
• Individual development focused on game timing, knowing when to use pace/power versus guile.
• Loan spells (Bath City, Newport, Sunderland) were crucial—experiences forged resilience and adaptability.
  • Bristol City placed development above loan fees; not all clubs do.
• Versatility highlighted as key to his appeal: “He can play for a Bournemouth [high press]… play for a Man City [possession]… that’s a huge advantage.” [28:23]

5. The Importance of Loan Spells for Young Prospects

Starts at 23:57, expanded at 28:39

• Panel discusses how English Football League loans (and even National League) help top talents develop mentality and physicality.
• Dean Holden draws analogies to academia: “Your academy is college… your loans are university… then you’re ready for the elite.” [30:59]
• Dan Kilpatrick: Harry Kane’s journey through the Football League was vital to his eventual success.

6. Club-by-Club: Where Should Semenyo Go?

Starts at 34:17

Manchester United

• Karl Anker:
  • United would love him, but finances and current squad structure suggest summer’s more likely.
  • “If a Ghanaian player of Semenyo's quality signed for Manchester United, I’d be running down the streets in celebration.” [34:33]
  • Positional fit: May play as a wing-back given current squad, but would require tactical adjustments.

Tottenham Hotspur

• Dan Kilpatrick:
  • Could be a defining post-Levy deal and “jewel in [Spurs’] young core”
  • “Meet the release clause on the first day of January if we want… would be an enormous show of ambition.” [37:21]
  • Potential partnership with Kudus excites panel.

Liverpool & Man City

• Consensus: Both clubs offer trophies, coaching, and developmental upside—plus tactical fit for Semenyo's pressing and dribbling skills.

Arsenal, Newcastle

• Arsenal: Well-stocked, less pressing need unless sales occur.
• Newcastle: No strong current links, have handled wide reinforcements, finances tight.

Holden’s Take

• “…If I could go back and put my boots on, I’d be playing under Pep [Guardiola]. I think he’s an absolute genius... and he’s got a great ability to win trophies.” [30:17]
• As a United fan, Dean would love Semenyo at Old Trafford!

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the uniqueness of Semenyo’s growth:

  “You don’t… if he’s left-footed or right-footed, and he doesn’t know the honest answer to that. I found that fascinating.”
  — Dean Holden [16:54]

• On mentality:

  “If he tries something, it doesn’t come off… he won’t lose confidence… he has that ability to be a normal lad off the pitch, go over the line… and just feel at home.”
  — Dean Holden [20:41]

• On transfer intrigue:

  "If Spurs could get a player of this caliber ... it would be brilliant—also fun—to have Kudus and Semenyo ... London’s Ghanaian brothers, either side!”
  — Dan Kilpatrick [38:32]

• Cultural flavor:

  “Is the Fufu good in North London, Karl, talk to me?”
  “Oh, it’s fantastic. I miss the fufu in North London.”
  — Ayob & Karl [38:48]

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• 01:08 — Episode proper begins: Semenyo’s clause confirmed
• 03:19 — Clause mechanics and timing explained
• 05:42 — Spurs' need and transfer strategy
• 06:15 — Semenyo’s attributes and statistical case (Karl)
• 07:43 — Who wants him and who needs him?
• 16:54 — Dean Holden on “Where has this kid been?”
• 19:58 — Holden on mentality and development
• 23:57 — Value and role of loan spells
• 28:23 — Why he fits all playing styles
• 34:33 — Club-by-club fit: United, spurs, Liverpool, City
• 37:21 — Spurs ambition in the transfer market
• 38:32 — North London Ghanaian duo and culture
• 40:19 — Wrap-up: Consensus and appreciation

Final Thoughts

The January transfer window could see a major scramble for Antoine Semenyo, a player now intricately profiled as both a statistical standout and a grounded, versatile professional. Expect Liverpool, Man City, and Spurs to jostle hardest, while Manchester United may have to bide their time.

Dean Holden’s ultimate career advice: If you can play under Pep Guardiola at City, do it. But no matter the destination, Semenyo’s unique journey and character have set him up for Premier League stardom—now the football world waits to see who moves first.

“For Antoine, he has to look where he’s going to go and win trophies… If I could go back and put my boots on, I’d be playing under Pep. He’s an absolute genius.”
— Dean Holden [30:17]

Contributors:

• Host: Ayob Akimolere
• Guests: David Ornstein, Dan Kilpatrick, Karl Anker, Dean Holden
  Production: Guy Clark, Mike Stabre, Jay Beale; Executive: Abby Patterson, Adie Moorhead