Ruben Amorim ‘took £55m Premier League star to dinner but transfer was scuppered when he discovered his wages’

RUBEN AMORIM reportedly took a Premier League star to dinner, before the player pulled out of the move upon discovering the wages Manchester United were offering.

The Red Devils had a busy but selective summer of activity, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Cunha, 26, and Mbeumo, 26, were identified early on in United’s transfer strategy this summer as they eyed stars who knew the Premier League and had good statistical performance.

However, it has now been revealed the Red Devils also “aggressively” targeted a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who had 20 goal contributions across all competitions last season.

United had used the same process on the 25-year-old as they did on both Cunha and Mbeumo, agreeing personal terms first before attempting to agree a deal with the player’s club.

Transfer chiefs Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada also held direct conversations with the Cherries over the deal.

According to Sunday Times reporter Duncan Castles speaking on The Transfers Podcast, United told the south coast side they would be willing to pay a maximum of £55million for Semenyo.

To help cement the switch from the Vitality Stadium to Old Trafford, Amorim and Semenyo also went to dinner in London together at the end of last season – a move also used on Cunha and Mbeumo.

Rival interest from Tottenham and the figures behind the £62.5m Cunha deal meant Bournemouth were insisting on a higher fee – using the Brazilian’s move as a benchmark for their winger.

However, the deal collapsed when Semenyo signed a new five-year deal at Bournemouth.

Castles claims that decision came after Semenyo learned the wages United were offering him were worth 70 per cent of what they were willing to pay Cunha and Mbeumo.

Bournemouth strategically used this to get the Ghanaian to put pen to paper on fresh terms, with a view to him staying with them for at least one more season.

United are said to have viewed Semenyo as an alternative option to the two Premier League-proven attackers they did land.

But Bournemouth believe United were actually willing to do all three of those deals.

This season, Semenyo has already scored two goals and added one assist in three league games, and Castles adds he will not be short of suitors again next summer if he carries on with that form.

United ultimately splashed out more than £200m on their new frontline, although only Mbeumo is off the mark so far, scoring in the 3-2 win over Burnley last weekend.

Cunha went off injured before the break against the Clarets and pulled out of the Brazil international squad.

It is not yet clear when he will return.

United face tough tests against Manchester City, Chelsea and Brentford after the international break.