Antoine Semenyo’s Potential Move to Manchester City

Manchester City is reportedly close to finalizing terms with Bournemouth for the transfer of forward Antoine Semenyo, valued at £65 million. However, Bournemouth’s head coach, Andoni Iraola, has firmly stated that Semenyo has “definitely not” played his final match for the club.

Negotiations regarding Semenyo’s transfer have reached an advanced stage, with talks intensifying over the past 48 hours to finalize the details of the agreement. City has agreed to meet Semenyo’s release clause, and the player’s representatives were in Manchester recently to finalize personal terms.

Discussions continued into Tuesday, and sources indicate that a complete agreement is imminent, coinciding with the opening of the January transfer window on Thursday. Semenyo, who played the full 90 minutes in a recent 2-2 draw against Chelsea, has expressed a desire for his future to be settled by January 1. Nonetheless, Iraola remains confident that Semenyo will feature in the upcoming match against Arsenal on Saturday, January 3.

“He is a massive player for us and he will still be with us,” Iraola emphasized in an interview with BBC Match of the Day. “It is not the last game he has played for us, definitely not.”

Sources suggest that Bournemouth intends for Semenyo to play against Arsenal and then against Tottenham on January 7, prior to the expiration of the release clause on January 10. While Liverpool has shown interest in Semenyo, it appears that unless Manchester City submits a last-minute offer, he is set to join the Premier League champions.

Despite interest from multiple clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, City remains the only team to have made formal contact with Bournemouth regarding Semenyo.

Since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 for a fee exceeding £10 million, Semenyo has made a significant impact, scoring nine goals and providing three assists this season. Although he conceded a penalty in the draw against Chelsea, his two long throws leading to goals demonstrated his vital contribution to the team.

At the match’s conclusion, Semenyo was seen applauding the away fans, which many interpreted as a potential farewell, as several teammates came over to embrace him. Team-mate David Brooks acknowledged Semenyo’s forthcoming departure, stating, “I’m not going to sit here and say he doesn’t leave a hole. He’s our top scorer and has been a very, very good player for us over the past couple of years. Everyone loves Ants in our team, and if he’s going to join someone else, we wish him all the best—he’s earned it.”

Former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton commented on the situation, noting, “Three and a half outstanding seasons as a Bournemouth player—how do you replace his numbers? A phenomenal player who’ll leave with the best wishes of the Bournemouth fans.”

Dion Dublin, a former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker, echoed this sentiment, stating that losing Semenyo would feel akin to losing multiple players for Bournemouth. “As a manager, you might think, ‘bring the money in, I back myself as a coach,’ and I’m sure Iraola does,” he said. “But Semenyo is such a big player that it is like losing two or three players.”