LADY Gaga and Bradley Cooper look certain to land Oscar nominations today and we are currently witnessing our own version of A Star is Born at Newport County AFC.

We’ve not yet had country & western songs pumped out over the PA system at Rodney Parade but the form of teenage loan star Antoine Semenyo is music to the ears of County, his parent club Bristol City and his agent.

A record of six goals in 31 appearances in League Two would not usually cause much of a ripple in the football world.

But Exiles fans will know that Semenyo is one of the most exciting young talents seen at Rodney Parade in many a year.

It was reported in December that Manchester United were monitoring the 19-year-old’s progress and his electrifying performance against Leicester City in the FA Cup third round has alerted a host of other top clubs.

More than 5million people watched him tear into the Foxes live on BBC One on January 6 and Match of the Day commentator Martin Keown was impressed with what he saw that day.

“Newport's Antoine Semenyo showed he is a star in the making,” wrote Keown in his Daily Mail column.

“The forward impressed me with everything he did against Leicester.

“He took on a Premier League-winning right-back in Danny Simpson and gave him a torrid time. Such were the problems Semenyo caused him that Claude Puel took him off after an hour.

“Semenyo looked dangerous every time he got on the ball. He was a strong outlet at the top of the team — powerful in the air and comfortable bringing the ball down with his chest.

“He is on loan from Bristol City but after that performance I would not be surprised if Premier League clubs start watching this exciting prospect.”

Keown rightly takes a bit of stick for some of his on-air faux pas, such as hailing United’s recent win at Juventus as their greatest night in Europe, but he was spot on in his assessment of Semenyo.

Bristol City player loan manager Brian Tinnion has confirmed that United are watching the youngster.

“I was sat with a Man United scout at Newport the other week, to be honest, and they really like him,” said Tinnion.

And now Chelsea are reportedly set to rival their Premier League foes for Semenyo’s services, with City apparently seeking £2m for his signature.

For most teenagers it’s a dream scenario to have two of the biggest clubs in the country chasing you but, having interviewed him a few times this season, Semenyo strikes me as someone who will take the whole thing in his stride.

On the pitch he’s a force of nature but off it he’s a cool customer and he won’t let the speculation faze him.

The real tricky bit comes if any big bids are lodged with City before the end of the January transfer window.

It would obviously be a massive blow for County if they were to lose such a big asset halfway through the season, but Semenyo’s future is sadly out of their hands.

The Robins appear to be happy with how their player is progressing under Michael Flynn and have recently agreed to keep him in Newport for the rest of the season.

Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton said: “We’ve been talking about the under-23s out on loan for the last two or three months.

“Lee [Johnson, City manager] has gone out to see the lads at Newport.

“We had a lot of discussions of who we bring back, when we bring them back, and at the moment we think the boys who are out on loan are getting really good, competitive football.

“It’s about getting minutes under their belts and getting them ready for the combative football in the Championship.”

That’s encouraging to hear, and I think the second tier is probably the next logical step for someone of Semenyo’s talents.

The Premier League is no doubt the ultimate ambition but he and his advisers should be wary of running before they can walk.

Regan Poole has just returned to County on loan from Manchester United and he will be able to give Semenyo plenty of advice on life at a big club.

Poole has clearly enjoyed his time at United and learned a lot but would he have been better off progressing to the top at a more gradual pace?

And is Chelsea, with their army of loan players and apparent mistrust of youth, the best place for a star in the making to prosper in the long term?

These are the big questions that Semenyo may soon have to ponder.

Until then, let’s hope we get to enjoy his sublime skills for a little longer this side of the Severn Bridge.

Read more: Exiles boss Michael Flynn targets more new signings this week