Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists it\u2019s now a \u201cdirect battle\u201d between Man Utd and Man City for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January.<\/p>\n
The Red Devils have once again showed inconsistent form this season and, despite being in seventh in the Premier League table<\/a>, Man Utd<\/a> are only four points ahead of 14th-placed Bournemouth.<\/p>\n Ruben Amorim\u2019s side were perhaps the better team against Aston Villa on Sunday in their 2-1 defeat with the Red Devils missing Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and\u00a0Noussair Mazraoui to Africa Cup of Nations duty.<\/p>\n There were a number of youngsters on the Man Utd bench on Sunday and it now seems the Red Devils are likely to enter the January transfer market for new players.<\/p>\n Bournemouth winger Semenyo has interest from a number of clubs this winter but Fabrizio Romano insists Man Utd are in a \u201cdirect battle\u201d with neighbours Man City for the Ghana international.<\/p>\n Romano said on his YouTube channel<\/a>: \u201cAntoine Semenyo\u2019s situation is now developing quickly, with multiple top clubs actively involved.<\/p>\n READ:\u00a016 Conclusions from Aston Villa 2-1 Man United: Rogers, Amorim, title deeds and rocking-horse sh*t<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs previously reported, Liverpool made contact in November but did not proceed further at that time. Now, however,\u00a0Manchester United\u00a0and\u00a0Manchester City\u00a0are in a direct battle for the Bournemouth winger.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth United and City have held direct contacts with Semenyo\u2019s camp between Monday and Tuesday, and again over the weekend, to understand his intentions and the feasibility of a deal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u00a0\u00a365m release clause\u00a0is active but only until the 10 January, allowing Bournemouth time to source a replacement. Because of this, the player\u2019s decision is central.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the moment, Tottenham are not advancing on the deal, while Liverpool are monitoring the situation closely, especially in light of the Isak injury. What Semenyo decides will be key, and this deal could have a domino effect elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365\u2026 Netherlands international Joshua Zirkzee looks likely to leave Man Utd in January as he looks for more playing time ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n Serie A side Roma are the main side \u201cpushing\u201d to sign Zirkzee, who has started three Premier League matches this season, and Romano has revealed meetings between the Italian outfit and the Man Utd forward\u2019s agents.<\/p>\n Romano added: \u201cI can reveal that a meeting took place last week between\u00a0Roma\u00a0and the agents of\u00a0Joshua Zirkzee, with further progress made in conversations this week.<\/p>\n \u201cRoma consider the player a top priority, and manager\u00a0Gian Piero Gasperini\u00a0is pushing to bring him in as early as January.<\/p>\n \u201cManchester United, however, are reluctant to give the green light at the start of the window. With several absences already \u2013 including\u00a0Amad Diallo\u00a0and\u00a0Bryan Mbeumo\u00a0heading to AFCON,\u00a0Bruno Fernandes\u00a0injured, and\u00a0Kobbie Mainoo\u00a0unavailable \u2013 United are short of options.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the player\u2019s side, Roma are making progress. Zirkzee is open to the move, attracted by the promise of regular football, a central role, and the chance to shine again in Serie A, where he previously impressed with Bologna.\u201d<\/p>\n
*\u00a0Amorim reveals Fernandes injury update after Man Utd were \u2018better team\u2019 vs Villa \u2013 \u2018going to be a while\u2019<\/a>
*\u00a0Neville slams \u2018ambling\u2019 Man Utd star after \u2018big mistake\u2019 as Keane reveals doubts about summer signing<\/a>
*\u00a0Roy Keane declares Man Utd star \u2018the real deal\u2019 after Aston Villa defeat<\/a><\/p>\n