SOCCER: Iraola says Semenyo could play last Bournemouth game, Kluivert set for knee surgery

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo could be playing his final game for the south-coast club amid growing transfer speculation, manager Andoni Iraola said Tuesday. Iraola also confirmed another setback for forward Justin Kluivert, who is set to undergo knee surgery.

According to British media reports, Semenyo has a £65 million ($87.7 million) release clause in his contract that can be triggered during the first two weeks of the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old Ghana international has been linked with a move to second-placed Manchester City, who are looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Semenyo has impressed this season, scoring nine goals — a tally only surpassed by City’s Erling Haaland (19) and Brentford’s Igor Thiago (14).

“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or in the next two, three days, but I asked before coming here just to be told. Otherwise, I would look foolish talking about Antoine and then he leaves,” Iraola told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s home game against 13th-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

“That’s the situation right now. I think it could be his last game — that is my personal opinion. But there is nothing agreed and nothing signed. It is my personal opinion as I understand the market and the noise.”

Meanwhile, Dutch forward Kluivert was substituted in the 74th minute of Bournemouth’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. Iraola said the 26-year-old will be sidelined for some time, although the injury is not ligament-related.

“It’s the knee capsule, the patella,” Iraola explained.

“I’m not a doctor, I’m not the best one to explain it, but what I’ve been told is they will open it up, see what they can do, and depending on the situation they may decide to repair it — which takes longer — or, if it’s not as bad, just clean it, which means less time.

“But it is definitely a considerable injury.”

Bournemouth currently sit 15th in the league with 23 points from 20 matches.

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-Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters