Reported Celtic transfer target Antoine Semenyo has admitted that he dreams of playing at the highest level but insists that he’s ‘not in any kind of rush’ to do so.
The lowdown
A report earlier this month revealed that senior Celtic scout Craig Strachan watched the Bristol City forward in an English Championship clash with Reading, while sports journalist Pete O’Rourke told GiveMeSport on Monday that the Hoops and ‘a number of English clubs’ are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
Semenyo is valued at around £1.1m by Transfermarkt and has less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Ashton Gate. He has scored six goals and provided eight assists despite making just 13 Championship starts this season, and he was recently named the division’s Player of the Month for January.
The latest
Speaking to Sky Sports amid the transfer speculation surrounding him, Semenyo expressed his desire to play at the highest level but recognised that there was work to do before reaching that point.
He stated: “It has always been a dream of mine from when I was young. But 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.”
The verdict
Can Celtic beat off the Premier League competition for Semenyo?
The Glasgow giants are certainly a club of immense stature. Most notably, they became champions of Europe in 1967, and they remain one of only six British clubs to lift the trophy, being the first to do so.
More importantly, they could return to Europe’s premier club competition next season by winning the Premiership, with the Scottish champions set to advance directly to the group stage. Ange Postecoglou’s side are currently three points clear of Rangers at the top of the table.
However, transfer insider Dean Jones has cast doubt on whether Celtic can afford Semenyo, and that may prove to be the biggest issue if they are fully intent on trying to bring him to Parkhead. Also, the player’s comments suggest that he is not exactly bursting down the door to try and leave Ashton Gate.
In other news, this Celtic star came in for criticism over one thing against Dundee
