Burnley are interested in joining the race for Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo, Bristol Live understands.
The Championship table-toppers are on course for a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and are currently 14 points clear of Blackburn Rovers who occupy third spot. Despite their dominance, head coach Vincent Kompany is still eyeing a new striker during the January window if the right deal is available.
They have been linked with moves for Nottingham Forest's Sam Surridge, Coventry City frontman Viktor Gyokeres and Brighton and Hove Albion's Deniz Undav. Semenyo is also on that list as competition for his signature continues to mount.
Burnley have money to spend this month following parachute payments from their relegation and cash left over from a summer of profitable player sales. Nathan Collins, Maxwel Cornet, Dwight McNeil and Nick Pope all left for a combined transfer fee of around £47.5million.
While Kompany would like a couple of arrivals as they start preparing for the top flight next season, they don't feel pressured into parting with their funds if they feel the deal isn't right. Following their 2-1 victory over Swansea, Kompany told LancsLive: "There's nothing that close yet. If we find the right players we will look to improve, but it's important to take into account the bigger picture as well."
Bournemouth retain an interest and contrary to some reports, it is believed they are yet to make an offer for the Ghanaian with other, at this stage more preferential, targets also in mind. Speaking after Bournemouth's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, head coach Gary O'Neil wouldn't be drawn on specific names but accepted the Cherries will be strengthening this month following Bill Foley's takeover of the club.
He said: "I'm sure there will be reinforcements, yeah. We're a newly-promoted side that didn't add loads, as you know, in the summer. The side today looks very similar to last season. But they're an incredible group, and they give me everything.
"They have quality. No complaints about the group I've got. But we're in January, and as the other 19 teams in the league will, we'll look to strengthen if we can."
Rangers and Crystal Palace have also reportedly been watching his situation at City, although speaking last month Nigel Pearson said he was unaware of any interest from Scotland.
Semenyo, 22, has a contract in BS3 until the summer of 2024 meaning they will either have to sell him this month or in the summer to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing. City would rather allow Semenyo to leave for a Premier League club when the time comes and avoid strengthening a fellow Championship side.
Although the situation with Burnley would be slightly different in the knowledge that they are edging closer to promotion. In the case of the Clarets and Bournemouth, Semenyo is eyed as an asset for a number of reasons.
One being because of his age and pedigree, his potential re-sale value could far exceed the figure they pay for him in the long run. The second is that if they do fail to ensure Premier League survival, Semenyo is already accustomed to the Championship and would therefore be a key player in a promotion bid.
While Pearson would like to make a couple of additions this January, he revealed before Christmas that they don't necessarily have to sell one of their key assets in order to bring in new players. He has reiterated the message that player trading would be the most likely way to achieve potential business.
If Semenyo does leave, it would likely force Pearson into bolstering his attack. He has already conceded the squad could benefit from a maverick-type player to help unlock defences.
Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway have remained integral figures while Sam Bell is also pushing for his opportunity from the substitute bench. Andi Weimann can also play in a front pairing while Chris Martin has fallen down the pecking order having failed to make the last three matchday squads.
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