Manchester City are reportedly in advanced talks to trigger Antoine Semenyo's £65m release clause, with the Bournemouth forward favouring the Etihad move. Building on initial reports, Pep Guardiola has praised the 25-year-old's energy and movement, amid ongoing interest from Liverpool and Manchester United—while Chelsea and Tottenham have withdrawn.
Following reports of Manchester City's frontrunner status for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, the Premier League leaders are now in advanced negotiations ahead of the January 1 window. The Ghana international prefers City as his destination, with his contract's £65m clause—£60m fixed plus £5m add-ons—activating then but not indefinitely, offering Bournemouth some safeguard.
Semenyo, London-born and rejected by Arsenal, Tottenham, and Millwall in his youth, rose via Bristol City (2017), loans at Bath, Newport, and Sunderland, before a £10m switch to Bournemouth in January 2023. Despite Bournemouth's seven-match winless run leaving them 15th, he has contributed to 11 of their 26 goals this season, scoring in the last two games.
Guardiola's admiration is clear: "He's an extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary player," highlighting Semenyo's confidence, movement, and role in 16 goal involvements since April (second to Erling Haaland). In 2025, he has 14 goals and six assists, closing in on Bournemouth's calendar-year record.
Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola hopes to keep him: "He's very valuable... I hope we can keep him, but there are things happening out of our control." Teammate Justin Kluivert called him "one of the best attacking players in the Premier League." Chelsea's Enzo Maresca confirmed no January activity, content with his squad, while Paul Merson noted Tottenham as a stylistic fit despite their withdrawal.
Semenyo is set to play Brentford on December 27 amid the buzz, as City aim to bolster their attack.
