Semenyo Set for Transfer to Manchester City After Impressive Season Start

Antoine Semenyo was reportedly the target of offers from Manchester United and Tottenham last summer but opted to remain at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. Following an impressive start to the 2025-26 season, interest in the forward has grown from several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City, all of whom are exploring potential deals. As December draws to a close, Semenyo has indicated that he prefers a move to the Etihad Stadium.

According to initial reports from Sky Sports, Semenyo is scheduled to undergo a medical examination in Manchester on Thursday, with the formalities of the transfer to take place after Bournemouth’s match against Tottenham on Wednesday.

Bournemouth’s head coach, Andoni Iraola, has been clear about the club’s intention to hold onto Semenyo for as long as possible before his release clause expires later this week. Semenyo played the entire match in Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal; however, Iraola has conceded that Semenyo’s sale is likely after Wednesday’s game.

“I don’t know what will happen in the next two or three days, but I have requested to be informed about Semenyo’s situation beforehand, as I do not want to appear foolish discussing him if he leaves. That’s the current state of affairs,” Iraola stated at a Tuesday press conference.

“In my personal opinion, this may be his last game, but nothing has been agreed or signed yet. He is still our player for the time being, and I hope this remains the case.”

Semenyo’s journey began in London, where he faced rejections from several clubs, including Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Millwall, and Tottenham, during his youth trials. He joined Bristol City in 2018 at the age of 18 and was quickly loaned to non-league Bath City, followed by loans to Newport County and Sunderland.

During the 2020-21 season, Semenyo solidified his position at Bristol City, making 50 appearances across all competitions. Over the next few years, he evolved into one of the Championship’s most dynamic forwards, ultimately securing a £10 million ($13.5 million) transfer to Bournemouth in January 2023.

Although he managed just one goal in 11 Premier League appearances to complete the 2022-23 season, Semenyo found his rhythm the following year under head coach Andoni Iraola, scoring eight goals in 33 matches in 2023-24 and 11 goals in 37 appearances the following season. This season, he has already netted nine goals in 19 Premier League games, trailing only Erling Haaland of Manchester City (19) and Igor Thiago of Brentford (14).

Should Semenyo finalize his transfer before the weekend, he will be eligible to make his debut for City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday against Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium. Following that, Pep Guardiola’s squad will face Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final next Tuesday, before heading to Old Trafford for a Premier League clash with Manchester United.

While Semenyo is expected to bolster City’s attacking options, the club is also seeking defensive reinforcements in light of injuries to center-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi—a player whose contract expires in June—being considered.