Antoine Semenyo has rapidly emerged as one of the hottest names in the January transfer window. The Manchester City are reportedly in advanced discussions as they consider a decisive move for the Bournemouth forward, who has enjoyed a standout Premier League campaign.
Semenyo’s situation is particularly intriguing. The 25-year-old has a release clause set at £65 million, a figure that will expire on January 10. Once that deadline passes, Bournemouth would be free to demand a significantly higher fee. That ticking clock has intensified interest not only from City, but also from Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea.
Despite the competition, City appear the most proactive. Manager Pep Guardiola is believed to see something exceptional in a player once released by Arsenal at youth level—a reminder that development paths in football are rarely linear.
Below are four key reasons why Manchester City are pushing hardest to secure Semenyo’s signature.
An Immediate Solution Amid an Injury Crisis
In today’s inflated transfer market, a £65 million release clause for a proven Premier League winger is viewed internally at City as a calculated opportunity rather than a gamble. Semenyo is entering his peak years at 25 and combines physical readiness with top-flight experience.
Timing also plays a major role. Guardiola’s squad has been hit hard by injuries at a critical stage of the season. Oscar Bobb remains sidelined, while Jérémy Doku has struggled with fitness issues. Another attacking target, Omar Marmoush, is unavailable due to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Semenyo, however, is unaffected by AFCON commitments after Ghana failed to qualify. That availability gives City a rare advantage: a player who can arrive and contribute immediately without disruption.
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green summed it up on BBC Radio 5 Live, noting that Semenyo “can help both in the short term, because of City’s injuries, and in the long term as part of Guardiola’s evolving attack.”
A Rarely Seen Vertical Attacking Profile
Statistically, Semenyo may not dominate chance-creation metrics in the same way Doku does, but Guardiola’s interest goes beyond raw numbers. The Bournemouth forward offers something City lack: relentless verticality.
Rather than recycling possession or dribbling laterally, Semenyo thrives on driving directly at defenders, attacking space aggressively and forcing defensive lines backward. He prefers decisive actions over prolonged build-up, adding unpredictability to City’s often methodical attacking patterns.
Equally important is his ambidexterity. Comfortable finishing with both feet, Semenyo ranks among the Premier League’s most frequent shooters—behind only Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer this season.
That directness could provide Guardiola with a valuable alternative when opponents successfully stifle City’s possession-based approach. As Green observed, Semenyo “carries the ball forward vertically, rather than drifting in and out,” offering a contrasting threat from wide areas.
Ruthless Efficiency in Front of Goal
Guardiola has often emphasized that creativity alone is not enough—his teams need players who can consistently finish chances. In that respect, Semenyo’s numbers are impossible to ignore.
His goals-and-assists ratio per appearance surpasses several established City attackers, including Doku, Savinho, and even Phil Foden this season. More importantly, many of his goals come from high-difficulty situations, highlighting composure under pressure.
Since early April, Semenyo has been the league’s second-highest scorer, trailing only Erling Haaland. That consistency has elevated him from a promising winger into a genuine match-winner.
Guardiola’s admiration is not new. Months before transfer rumors surfaced, the City boss publicly praised Semenyo’s intensity and confidence, calling him “an extraordinary player” whose movement and energy are “hard to believe.”
Elite Numbers That Match Proven Finishers
The clearest validation of Semenyo’s rise lies in his output. Across the 2025 calendar year, he has been directly involved in 20 Premier League goals—14 goals and six assists.
That tally places him among elite company. He is only the second Ghanaian player to reach that mark in a single Premier League year, after Tony Yeboah. One more goal involvement before year’s end would also see him surpass Bournemouth’s club record set by Dominic Solanke.
Within the Bournemouth dressing room, his reputation has soared. Teammate Justin Kluivert recently described Semenyo as “world-class,” a label rarely applied lightly in modern football.
A Transfer That Feels Inevitable
With elite clubs circling and a release clause nearing expiration, Antoine Semenyo’s future appears set for a decisive turn. For Manchester City, the appeal is clear: immediate availability, tactical variety, ruthless finishing, and elite-level production.
Whether City ultimately activate the clause remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Semenyo is no longer viewed as a mid-table forward. In Guardiola’s eyes, he looks every bit like a player ready for the biggest stage in European football.
