Towards the end of last season, Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson indicated that he would not stand in Antoine Semenyo’s way if a ‘top Premier League side’ came calling over the summer. Now, with Everton interested and Crystal Palace ready to invest £12 million in one of the Championship’s most exciting attackers, it remains to be seen whether The Robins boss is as good as his word.
“Hopefully he’ll be here (next season),” Pearson said at the time, per the BBC.
“Would I stand in his way of going to top a Premier League side? Absolutely not. But it would have to be the right deal for us, as a team. As a football club, the financial offset for losing someone like Antoine is going to be considerable and people need to be aware of that.”
Antoine Semenyo a target for Everton and Crystal Palace
Three games in, Bristol City are winless, above only surprise strugglers Norwich City in the table. And with so little time to find an adequate replacement – the window closes in two weeks – Pearson is unlikely to be actively encouraging offers from top-flight suitors, even if he does insist that anyone targeting Semenyo would have to part with an ‘expensive’ transfer fee.
According to the Daily Mail, Semenyo is valued in the £15 million bracket. Hardly pocket change for a 22-year-old who has only started shining consistently in second-tier since the turn of the year. But nor is it the sort of asking price that will have Crystal Palace or a post-Richarlison Everton running for the hills.
One club who have been keeping a keen eye on Semenyo, however, remain conspicuous by their absence as speculation ramps up again heading into the final fortnight of the window.
When Celtic expressed their interest in the Ghana international in the spring, Semenyo was still flying somewhat under the radar.
Now, with clubs from south of the border throwing their hat into the ring, Semenyo has moved well beyond Celtic’s financial means. The Hoops have never before paid more than £9 million for a single player. And they’re not going to start throwing £15 million bids around any time soon; Even if Ange Postecoglou does admit that he wants ‘maybe one or two more’ new faces through the door.
Where next for the Bristol City ace?
Celtic may be one of the most historic, best-supported clubs in European football; One who can offer almost guaranteed silverware and Champions League group-stage football. What they cannot offer, however, is the money Premier League clubs throw around every window.
That is simply the harsh reality facing clubs in Scotland. When players like Semenyo arrive on the scene, there’s always the risk you’ll be priced out as soon as clubs south of the border get the scent.
“I had a conversation with (Celtic coach Craig) Strachan”, the striker’s agent, tells Football Scotland. “(He) rang up to ask little bits of info on the player and what he’s like as a lad.
“That was it. If it’s something they’re going to do in the summer window I’m not sure. But it’s nice to know that his talents are going as far as Scotland.(Celtic are) one of great institutions in world football.”
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