Chelsea are showing strong interest in a Premier League player who was admired at Stamford Bridge during Roman Abramovich’s time as owner. The club’s recruitment team holds the player in high regard.
Chelsea aiming to strengthen attack this summer
Recent reports suggest Chelsea might be looking to bring in a new midfielder to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s squad, with Kobbie Mainoo from Man United mentioned as a possible target.
Chelsea are also reportedly considering a move for Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham. However, it’s widely expected that the club will prioritize signing a high-profile forward.
Chelsea chose not to sign a new main striker in January, a decision that was criticized when injuries hit Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu, and Nicolas Jackson soon after.
The club’s ownership, BlueCo, wants to make sure Maresca has a reliable number nine available for the 2025/2026 season, especially if Chelsea qualifies for the Champions League.
Chelsea are among the frontrunners to sign Benjamin Sesko, and are also linked with players like Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon and Liam Delap of Ipswich Town, all of whom are performing well.
With uncertainty around Jadon Sancho’s future at Chelsea, and Mykhailo Mudryk’s situation after a failed drugs test, the club is also looking at wingers.
While Chelsea have been occasionally linked with wingers, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is now a high priority on their transfer list.
Semenyo, who previously played for Bristol City, has scored nine goals and provided five assists this season under manager Andoni Iraola. His performances have attracted attention from major clubs. Chelsea have been admirers since his time at Bristol City.
Antoine Semenyo a key target for Chelsea
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Semenyo was a target during the Abramovich era, with Chelsea considering a move back then.
Semenyo’s performances for Bournemouth have impressed Chelsea’s current management. It’s reported that Semenyo is now a ‘major’ target for Chelsea, alongside his Bournemouth teammates Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen.
Phillips stated that Chelsea are monitoring Antoine Semenyo for a possible summer transfer. He highlighted extensive scouting and confirmed Semenyo is now a ‘massive’ target. The 25-year-old, capable of playing on either wing, as a central striker, or second striker, has been scouted by Chelsea for years, dating back to the previous ownership.
Phillips added that the new Chelsea owners continued to track Semenyo’s progress. The previous Chelsea ownership seriously considered signing him from Bristol City and even made contact, but the transfer didn’t happen, and he later joined Bournemouth.
Chelsea’s new recruitment team is impressed with Semenyo’s quality and physicality.
To sign Semenyo, Bournemouth might ask for around £51 million.
Vihaan Mehrotra