January transfer bombshell hours before Newcastle United face Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola has wished Antoine Semenyo well following his £64million move to Manchester City.

Newcastle United are preparing to face a Bournemouth side reeling from losing their talisman. Just 72 hours ago, Semenyo scored a 95th-minute worldie to put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword.

It became well-documented that the 26-year-old had a release clause in his Cherries contract. And with 13 Premier League goal contributions this season, he soon became a prized asset for potential suitors.

Andoni Iraola on Antoine Semenyo exit

Semenyo completed his switch to Man City yesterday, severely weakening Bournemouth before they face Newcastle today. Cherries boss Iraola praised the winger for leaving the club in the best manner that he could.

"I have been talking to Antoine lately and trying to convince him that, if he's going to leave, he should do that in a proper way,” he said before the Newcastle trip. “I think he has performed and dealt with the situation very, very well. We hope the best for him."

"The truth is, until the last day, nothing was really agreed. There have been more clubs involved. I was expecting him to leave but it was not a clear situation until the end."

Bournemouth defeatist before Newcastle United clash

Iraola did not sound confident of progressing to the fourth round due to Bournemouth’s wafer-thin squad. He added: "It's a tricky moment for us because we are in a delicate situation. Numbers-wise, we have 15 outfield players. We have to choose the combinations very well to think how we can be competitive."

"The only chance we have right now is to play a very, very good game, go ahead somehow, and earn the right to be in the next draw."

Eddie Howe on FA Cup

Eddie Howe has enjoyed success in the Carabao Cup since becoming Newcastle manager but he is yet to progress past the FA Cup quarter-final stage. On his desire for that to change, the Toon boss said: "We haven’t quite matched the success we’ve had in the Carabao Cup; the FA Cup is a great competition.

“The early rounds are the most difficult because you are surrounded by other games. We really need to make sure we focus on this one, we want to progress, we want to do well."

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