Man Utd Considered Danny Welbeck Homecoming and Antoine Semenyo Transfer Before Deadline

For all the noise around Manchester United’s transfer window, much of the story will always be about the deals that didn’t happen. The club secured the flair and versatility of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and later splashed a hefty fee on Benjamin Šeško, but the search for another centre-forward stretched right up until the closing hours of the summer market. Behind the scenes, some fascinating names were considered – including the prospect of a Danny Welbeck homecoming and an ambitious but ultimately unrealistic move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

United’s Attacking Puzzle

Ruben Amorim inherited a squad in need of a serious reset, especially in forward areas. The departures of Rasmus Højlund, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony meant the Red Devils were left with a huge void at the top end of the pitch. United’s recruitment team spent months chasing options who could bring both goals and experience, but the process was far from straightforward.

Early in the window, attention briefly turned to Liam Delap, the promising England U21 striker. Delap had enjoyed a strong campaign, and his profile made him a natural candidate to be part of United’s next-generation rebuild. But the Manchester City connection complicated matters, and Chelsea eventually swooped in to secure his signature. Ollie Watkins was also discussed – the Aston Villa striker has been one of the most consistent finishers in the Premier League – while Hugo Ekitike, long admired at Old Trafford, ended up making his way to Liverpool after previously being linked with Newcastle.

For all the frustrations, United did manage to land their marquee forward signing in Benjamin Šeško, prised from RB Leipzig for £74 million. At just 22, he is seen as a long-term solution, but Amorim wanted more. A second striker, ideally one with Premier League pedigree and reliability, was on his wish list. That’s where two names stood out: Danny Welbeck and Antoine Semenyo.

The Danny Welbeck Homecoming That Nearly Happened

Ollie Watkins Manchester United Welbeck

The idea of Welbeck pulling on a red shirt again might have seemed romantic, but it was grounded in logic as much as sentiment. A product of the club’s academy, the now-Brighton striker has carved out a respectable career in the Premier League, mixing hard work with valuable moments in front of goal.

According to reports, United explored the conditions for bringing him back for the second summer in succession. Amorim was open to the move, with Welbeck’s experience viewed as a stabilising factor in a youthful, reshaped squad. Discussions even extended to the terms of a contract running until 2027.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, however, wasn’t convinced. The 34-year-old Welbeck turns 35 in November, and offering him a two-year deal was seen by the INEOS hierarchy as a step too far for a club trying to lower the average age of the squad. Welbeck’s return would have been a statement of sorts – a nod to United’s past while trying to stabilise their future – but in the end, the idea was shelved.

Antoine Semenyo: Ambitious but Out of Reach

Danny Welbeck Manchester United goal

While Welbeck represented familiarity, Antoine Semenyo was a gamble on power and potential. The Bournemouth forward has been steadily rising in reputation, combining pace, strength, and an eye for goal. United held talks over a potential swoop, recognising that Semenyo could bring a more dynamic option to Amorim’s front line.

But Bournemouth’s valuation, reportedly set at £70 million, immediately complicated matters. For a player yet to prove himself as a consistent top-end Premier League goalscorer, that price was simply too high. United, already committed to the significant outlay on Šeško and mindful of balancing their wage bill, opted to walk away.

It was a frustrating end to what could have been a statement signing. Semenyo’s ceiling is high, and his ability to stretch defences would have given United something different, but in a market already defined by inflated valuations, this was one deal they weren’t prepared to push over the line.

Other Options on the Radar

Welbeck and Semenyo weren’t the only ones on the list. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a free agent after his contract at Everton expired, was monitored closely. At his best, Calvert-Lewin offers everything a modern striker needs: aerial presence, hold-up play, and finishing ability. But questions about his fitness record lingered, and United were hesitant to commit. In the end, he made the switch to Leeds, where the pressure will be different but no less intense.

Across Europe, other names were tracked but never pursued with conviction. Amorim’s vision was clear – a striker who could slot in quickly, offer goals immediately, and relieve some of the burden on Šeško. The market, though, had other ideas.

Where United Stand Now

With the window closed, United head into the season relying heavily on Šeško and Cunha to carry the goalscoring load. Mbeumo, versatile across the frontline, adds creativity and depth, but there is no denying that the club would have liked one more forward in the mix.

The absence of a second striker might also open opportunities for academy talents to step up, much like Welbeck once did himself over a decade ago. Amorim has never shied away from giving young players a chance, and United’s tradition of developing their own forwards could once again become a crucial part of their story.

Looking Ahead

In truth, the rumours around Welbeck and Semenyo reveal as much about United’s thinking as the deals they actually completed. The club is trying to strike a balance: investing in youth, securing big-name talents like Šeško, but also weighing the importance of experienced figures who can steady the ship.

Welbeck, the familiar face who might have offered short-term relief, and Semenyo, the ambitious project who came with a prohibitive price tag, sit at opposite ends of that spectrum. United’s decision to pass on both shows just how fine the margins are in modern football recruitment.

As the season unfolds, the debate will continue. Did United miss a trick by not adding a veteran presence like Welbeck? Or were they right to avoid overspending on Semenyo? The answers will depend, as always, on results on the pitch. But one thing is clear – for the second year running, Old Trafford came close to welcoming back a familiar son, and for a brief moment, the idea of a Danny Welbeck homecoming felt very real indeed.