Crystal Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman watched Antoine Semenyo over the weekend with the Premier League outfit still tracking the £12 million-rated Bristol City forward, according to The Sun.
During Bristol City’s 2-0 triumph over Huddersfield Town at the end of August, Semenyo stepped off the bench and almost immediately showed what all the fuss is about. The Ghana international picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area, checked back and lashed a whipcrack of a shot into the roof of the net.
There was to be no repeat of that, unfortunately, when Freedman travelled to Ewood Park over the weekend.
Semenyo stepped up his return to full fitness with another half hour of action in Lancashire. But if he wants to secure himself a big-money move to the Premier League in January, the one-time Sunderland loanee will need more than half-hour cameos off the bench.
According to The Sun, Freedman is reluctant to launch any bids for Semenyo until the powerhouse frontman has been scouted extensively. Bristol City value the youngster in the region of £12 million (The Sun).
Will Crystal Palace sign Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo?
“He is a real threat with his power and pace,” says Robins coach Nigel Pearson. “He must be a nightmare to play against! His challenge now is to keep developing and adding elements to his game to make him even more effective.
“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.”
Crystal Palace have enjoyed great success when signing talented youngsters from the Championship of late. A front three of Semenyo, Ebere Eze and Michael Olise would certainly strike fear into plenty of top-tier defenders.
Scottish Premiership champions Celtic showed an interest earlier in the year. Semenyo may be too expensive for the Hoops now, however, with his transfer value going into eight-figures.
“I had a conversation with (Celtic scout 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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