Arsenal boost in £65m transfer race with Tottenham as Gunners 'regularly' scout La Liga man - round-up

Arsenal may hold an advantage over Premier League rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer race for in-form AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.

The 25-year-old has scored six goals and picked up three assists in his 12 top flight outings so far this season. That form has sparked transfer talk in recent months and those rumours were ignited this week amid reports of a release clause.

Semenyo only signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium in July, committing his future until 2030. However, it has now emerged that there is a £65 million release clause in that deal.

Arsenal hold advantage in Antoine Semenyo transfer chance

For a player in such strong form, that fee could be viewed as a very good deal for top Premier League clubs and make it worth splashing the cash in January. Semenyo is likely to have his pick of suitors but the Gunners may hold an advantage.

Speaking in 2024, Semenyo told The Athletic that he is an Arsenal fan. He said: "I don't conflict the two with my job. It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well. In order for that to happen, I need to prove it.

"Any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) - that's the aim. I know that's not going to come with a click of my fingers, it's going to take some time. It's going to take goals. It's going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I've worked all my life for that and I'm just going to continue working hard. That's my mentality."

Gunners regularly scouting Elche midfielder

Meanwhile, Spanish outlet Informacion report that Arsenal are ‘one of several European top flight sides’ who are tracking Elche rising star Rodrigo Mendoza. The 20-year-old is a versatile midfielder, capable of playing through the middle or on the right, and has enjoyed a breakthrough season in La Liga.

Mikel Arteta has a penchant for Spanish midfielders, having signed Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi in previous seasons. It’s claimed that Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Mendoza in action with staff regularly at the Martínez Valero stadium.

The Elche academy graduate signed a new contract with the club in the summer following interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. It’s believed that Mendoza has a £17.6 million release clause in his current deal with that in place until 2028.

In other news, Tottenham handed injury update as 'amazing' player risks missing Arsenal clash.