A week is a long time in football, a week during the transfer window is even longer.
Less than one week ago AFC Bournemouth were on the verge of three new signings to be added to Cherries head coach Gary O’Neil’s squad.
The three players at that time that looked set to arrive were Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, Roma left-back Mathias Vina and Veteran goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
The latter two players went on to pass their medicals, agree on personal terms and sign with the Cherries, the former unfortunately didn’t.
The first through the door was Darren Randolph, who is now 35 years old and was entering the final 6 months of his contract with West Ham United, having not played a game since May 2021
Our new number 𝟙𝟚 🧤 pic.twitter.com/xkrmwpIRoS
— AFCB Superstore (@afcb_superstore) January 26, 2023
He signs an 18-month contract, making the move to the south coast to compete for a first-team place alongside Neto and fellow Republic of Ireland international Mark Travers.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Randolph said…
“…I’ve had to fight for a place with other goalkeepers at most clubs I’ve been at and that’s the nature of the business.
“It’s our own little group within the group and I’ve always been close in every goalkeepers’ union I’ve been in.
“Ultimately, we’re here to push each other and whoever has the shirt then hopefully it’s going to work in their favour and make everybody else perform to the best of their ability.”
🗣 "𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥."
Let's get to work, @RandzOfficial 💪💪
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 26, 2023
Roma left-back Mathias Vina had his loan deal to the Cherries officially confirmed late yesterday (Monday) night.
Vina is a 25-year-old Uruguay international, who boasts an impressive honours list, having previously won the Uruguayan Premiera division with Nacional in 2019, the Copa Libertadores with Palmeiras in 2020 and 2021 and the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022.
He has earned 28 international caps for Uruguay, including two appearances in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Matias Vina joins #AFCB for a €500k loan fee which could rise to €750k.
Option to buy believed to be in the region of €15m.
Much-needed LB cover ✅
Ability to play at CB too ✅More signings expected…@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/V76DBFYm2e
— Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble) January 30, 2023
Ahmed Shooble, who reports for The Athletic, has reported that Vina joins for a €500,000 loan fee which could rise to €750,000 “if certain bonuses are met”.
The Cherries then hold an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the current 2022/23 campaign for € 15 million.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“We are delighted to secure the services of Matías for at least the second half of the season.
“Even though he only turned 25 in November, he arrives with a great deal of experience, including last season’s European success with Roma.
The signing of Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson however proved to be a complicated one.
The 21-year-old Senegal international who has scored 2 goals in 14 Spanish La Liga appearances thus far this season and has reportedly been a target for Aston Villa, Everton and Southampton had agreed on personal terms and AFC Bournemouth and Villarreal had also agreed a €23 million fee, but the deal collapsed upon the medical stage.
The medical proved to be a prolonged process, reportedly going on in two stages with fears over his current hamstring injury proving problematic. Ultimately, the Cherries decided that as he may not be available for some time, with reports he may not be fit to make an impact until March the Cherries pulled out of the deal, as per reports by Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam and European correspondent Fabrizio Romano.
Understand Bournemouth deal to sign Nico Jackson is now off. Medical tests failed as he was expected to be back from hamstring injury on February 10 but Bournemouth doctors feel he won’t be ready before March 10. 🚨⛔️🍒
Nico Jackson, now back to Villarreal. pic.twitter.com/cI86AosKOT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2023
The Cherries quickly moved on, returning to a former target who they had previously failed to agree on a fee. But a third bid to Bristol City proved more favourable and Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo was soon announced as a new signing, reportedly beating off interest from Crystal Palace.
Sky Sports News reported the deal was worth an initial £ 9 million, potentially rising to £ 10.5 million depending on add-ons being met.
The 23-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal, with AFC Bournemouth retaining an option for a further year.
AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City.
The deal is worth £9m + £1.5m in add-ons ✍️pic.twitter.com/GsyUFyQ4A5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 27, 2023
Bringing the vibes 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Bzi1GShkLk
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 27, 2023
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“Antoine is an exciting player and one we have monitored for a while.
“He had interest from elsewhere and so we’re delighted to welcome him to the club.”
Another new number to note 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g8ryziW4Y0
— AFCB Superstore (@afcb_superstore) January 27, 2023
Whilst Semenyo is a Ghanian international with 8 caps and 1 goal, he is a product of Bristol City’s academy and has played 125 times for Bristol City in all competitions, scoring 21 times.
After loan spells with Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland, his real breakthrough season as a goalscorer came during 2021/22 season, where he scored 8 times in his final 24 appearances of the season.
This season he has scored 9 goals for club and country and made two appearances in the World Cup for Ghana.
🔺 Signing for #afcb
🔺 Some familiar faces
🔺 Attributes to his gameWe sat down with @antoinesemenyo1 🎥
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 27, 2023
Your say…
thegazzyb said on Randolph…
After watching his interview on AFCBtv I must say that I love this guy 
The way he dealt with the 0-8 question and really the whole interview was just majestic. I can fully understand why he has the reputation of being good to have around the squad.
Welcome to AFCB Darren, glad to have you and good luck. – To join the conversation, click here.
northstandmark said on Vina…
Happy with this. A player I’ve managed to catch in a few Uruguay games on TV, so I at least feel like I know who he is even if it’s a small sample size. He’ll do a job for us I think. – To join the conversation, click here.
KingKieffer said on Semenyo…
Semenyo would be a great signing, I can’t emphasise enough what a well-rounded forward he is.
I know some will point to purely his goal record, but you really need to look at his game more in-depth than that.
He is very quick, very strong, and has the ability to not only score but also to create for others. He has only just started to bang them in regularly, if we want a forward of this quality then we really have to get him before he becomes prolific as we would be competing with the entire PL in that case.
He is also only 23 and is only just starting to fulfil his potential. This would be an incredibly smart signing, I can’t believe that Palace would be all over this at £9m, he’d be ideal for them. – To join the conversation, click here.
