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Analysis
- 53 minutes ago
The Transfers Podcast: Semenyo TRUTH, Maresca exit EXPLAINED, West Ham DOUBLE DEAL
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 2 Jan 2026 17:38 GMT
- 7 min read
Exclusive
The Transfers Podcast, powered by FootballTransfers.com and hosted by Duncan Castles, brings you the latest news and insight from the world of football.
Here is a detailed look at the key headlines discussed in this week’s episode, including the latest on Antoine Semenyo, Enzo Maresca and West Ham.
Antoine Semenyo to join Man City
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo was wanted by almost every top Premier League club, however he is now on the verge of completing a January move to Manchester City, The Transfers Podcast understands.
It comes just six months after he agreed terms with their arch-rivals Manchester United before opting to extend his contract at Bournemouth.
“As we discussed in the podcast in September, Ruben Amorim met Semenyo in person to assess his character,” Castles said on the latest episode of The Transfers Podcast.
Current ETV
Antoine Semenyo
M (RL)
B'mouth
Antoine Semenyo
M (RL)
B'mouth
ETV Range
€46.2M - €56.5M
“United had agreed personal terms with the player only for Semenyo to discover that their salary offer to him was significantly less than what they’d given Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. This allowed Bournemouth to persuade the player to sign a new contract with a release clause.”
Castles continued: “Pretty much all the top clubs in the Premier League have tried to exploit it [Semenyo’s release clause]. Manchester United came back in. Chelsea enquired. Liverpool looked at time. Tottenham made an offer and failed again because he decided Manchester City was the most attractive club to move to.
“I understand that Bournemouth expect to keep the player for the next two games. The clause is valid for the first 10 days of January only, and they’re running it to the end of the clause before allowing him to go to another club.”
Enzo Maresca exit explained
Enzo Maresca officially left his role as Chelsea head coach by mutual consent on New Year’s Day and The Transfers Podcast has been told that his exit came after a major bust-up with the club’s hierarchy.
“This was as close to a consensual exit as you’ll see in the Premier League,” Castles explained. “Chelsea’s statement even quoted Maresca saying that, with key objectives still to play for across four competitions, both sides believed a change gave the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.
"There was a clause in his contract requiring him to inform Chelsea if he spoke to other clubs. He did so twice - late October and mid-December - telling them he’d spoken to Manchester City about potentially replacing Pep Guardiola in the future. He also spoke with Juventus.
“There were conflicts over the club preventing him from publishing a book about his career, he spoke at an event organised by Gazzetto dello Sport without permission and he publicly disagreed with the club’s decision not to replace Levi Colwill after an ACL injury.
“After the Everton win in December, he said the previous 48 hours had been the worst since joining because many people didn’t support the team. That referred to pressure from Chelsea to use or avoid certain players - medical advice, squad management, and recruitment priorities.
“None of this is surprising. Maresca knew the structure when he joined. At Chelsea, the coach is subservient to recruitment strategy, sporting directors, and spending rules that require constant squad turnover.
“For Maresca to take offence suggests either naivety or highlights Chelsea’s current status. If you believe you’re a top manager and Manchester City are courting you, Chelsea becomes a stepping stone rather than a destination.
“Liverpool backed Arne Slot during Mohamed Salah’s public pressure campaign. Chelsea operate very differently from the league’s top clubs. ‘Mutual consent’ is a fair description.”
West Ham double deal
West Ham United are expected to be busy in the market this month and they are set to announce two new striker signings as they look to avoid relegation back to the Championship.
“They’re [West Ham] already in the process of signing two strikers,” Castles said. “They have a deal in place with Lazio, understood to be worth €29 million, for Taty Castellanos, the Argentine international who scored 14 goals in 40 Serie A and Europa League games last season but has been on the fringes this season.
“A classic set-off forward profile, which cynics might say fits West Ham’s current squad, but it doesn’t really feel like the best way to transform them. His Estimated Transfer Value is €25.2 million, close to the agreed fee.
STATS
Taty Castellanos
F (C)
Lazio
Taty Castellanos
F (C)
Lazio
“There’s also a second deal, which I’d describe as a calculated risk: Pablo from Gil Vicente, a 21-year-old Portuguese striker with Brazilian citizenship. His father, Pena, was a former Porto top scorer. Pablo was born in Braga while his father played in Portugal.
“He’s scored nine goals in 12 Primeira Liga games this season for a relatively lowly club and has been described to me as a Diego Costa-style centre forward - very physical and powerful. A good project player, but people I’ve spoken to wonder whether West Ham is the right place for his first move to a high-pressure top-tier club.
“The reported fee is €20 million. His Estimated Transfer Value is just €1.9 million, which gives some indication of the risk involved."
Castles added: “West Ham are also pursuing Adama Traore from Fulham - a player Nuno Espirito Santo knows very well and tried to sign for Nottingham Forest in the summer, when Fulham wanted around £10 million.
“West Ham are now negotiating a nominal fee of under £1 million, as the player is out of contract in the summer. The main complication is wages. He earns £120,000 per week at Fulham and is unlikely to take a pay cut, so West Ham have a decision to make.”
Other Topics
- Man Utd chase Jeremy Jacquet
- Johnson chooses Palace over Bournemouth
- Why Chelsea rate Rosenior
- West Ham to sign two new strikers
- Saudi Pro League ready for big 2026
Stay tuned to the Transfers Podcast for more in-depth analysis, and follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates in the world of football.
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