With Matt O’Riley as a recent success story, it makes sense Celtic are keeping a watchful eye on the talents of English Championship’s player of the month Antoine Semenyo.
At 22 years old the Bristol City striker has come to prominence this season as a positional change from wide player to No9 has heralded an up-turn in form and a whole host of admiring glances.
Semenyo ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to the profile of player Celtic look to target, the fact Semenyo is positionally versatile and appears on an upward career trajectory too would certainly fit the bill for Celtic, and Celtic recently sent head-scout Craig Strachan south to run the rule over the player as he scored in a Championship encounter with Reading.
Celtic of course are far from the only club to keep an eye on Semenyo, with Nottingham Forest reportedly making a rejected January transfer move and now Premier League side Watford rumoured to be showing an interest.
Now speaking to Sky Sports Semenyo clearly has ambitions to further his career, but has the sort of belief in his own abilities that whether it’s soon or sometime later he’ll be ready when opportunity knocks.
“Whether it comes now or in a few years, I’m not in any kind of a rush. I just want to keep working on my game so that if I do ever get to the top then hopefully there’ll be no problems.
“I much prefer playing in the No 9. If I need to do a job out wide then I’m happy to do that, but my main position is as a striker. Playing out wide was tough. It was new to me. I did it out on loan too and it was all off the cuff. I am willing to learn that side of things as well, and I’m happy to play out there if needed, but I’d rather be through the middle. I feel like I can get more goals and assists there, and contribute more to the team.
“I’m versatile, I can go in behind and I can link up play when I need to. I feel like I can provide both those skills as a No 9, which is really helpful for the team. If we’re struggling in possession I know I can help.”
With rumoured fees of £15m plus being suggested for Semenyo the question has to be whether Celtic could compete financially when it comes to a deal to sign the Bristol City star, however City themselves are struggling financially to meet the new EFL financial regulations for next season and the teams reported to be competing for his signature at present, in Forest and Watford are clubs Celtic could compete with financially, with the added advantage of being able to offer European football as a carrot to entice the player north.
Watford of course may be a Premier League club with all the riches that brings, but will they be for long given they are in the midst of a relegation battle, and would Semenyo simply trade one Championship club for another or would he have higher ambitions?
Semenyo’s contract expires next summer, however there is an option to extend that for a further year. If Celtic were to make their move, then the summer transfer window would be just the time to do it, although any further interest from an established Premier League club may well scupper Celtic’s chances.
At this stage however Celtic can compete and are right to show interest in a player who fits the club’s profile for ability, age and re-sale value further down the line, his positional versatility would also appeal to Ange Postecoglou.
You can see Semenyo in action tonight and judge for yourselves as Bristol City face Coventry live on Sky Sports with a 7.45 Kick Off. I’d hate to jinx the kid, but he’s certainly a talent worth watching.
Niall J
