Antoine Semenyo makes final transfer decision after Man City and Man Utd moves
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo looks set to be on the move during the January window with a host of teams, including both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea
by Ben Husband · The MirrorAntoine Semenyo has his heart set on a move to Manchester City in January. The Bournemouth forward is one of the most sought after players in the Premier League after another impressive season on the south coast.
The 25-year-old signed a new deal with the Cherries in July, helping to fend off interest from a host of clubs during the summer window. However, part of that arrangement included a clause which will allow Semenyo to leave for £65million at the start of 2026.
A host of clubs have been in the mix to sign the Ghana international, including both Manchester United and City. However, the Athletic report that Semenyo's preference would be to play for Pep Guardiola in the blue half of the city.
United had made a hard play to sign the standout Cherries star, but a desire to immediately compete for the game's top prizes is said to have played a deciding factor in his final choice.
Liverpool are also understood to be admirers of the players, while Chelsea made tentative enquiries for a player who already has eight Premier League goals this season.
Guardiola had previously hinted that City could be set for a quieter January window, after green lighting a huge spending spree 12 months ago. That was in the midst of a crippling injury crisis, while City are in a much stronger position this time around.
He said: “Listen, last season what happened in the transfer window was for just one reason – we have (had) no players. Old players and no players, old players and no players. And you have to, you know, for the next years, new vibes, new energy – that was the reason why. But I’m not a big, big, big, big fan for the (January) transfer window.
“Always you have to be open, you never know what happens, and it’s possible that the club decides it’s good for now and for the next three, four, five, six years – why not? But it’s better to, you know, at the end of the season to see what happened this season, how it was. It’s much better.”
Bournemouth have been resigned to the fact that they could lose their star player, who they signed from Bristol City for around £10m in 2023. Speaking on Tuesday, manager Andoni Iraola said he was desperate to keep Semenyo, but couldn't 'control' what would happen when the window opens on January 1.
"Antoine Semenyo right now is with us, he's playing very well, he's playing very well,” the Spaniard said. “I understand that there is a lot of noise around Antoine, but my concern is that it doesn't affect him, his performances, and we are seeing that it's not affecting his performances.
"He's very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him there. There are situations that I cannot control or we cannot control, but right now Antoine is our player and he's going to continue playing for us. If you ask me, I don't want to lose him, definitely I don't want to lose him.
"But like we always say, every time the market opens, you never know what's going to happen. I think it's no secret that he's a massive player for us."
He added: "At the end of situations, myself as a coach, I don't control, I'm not in the negotiations when the players negotiate with the club and they find agreements.
"When you sign a contract, both parties are happy when you sign the contract. But me as a coach, I can only tell you I hope we don't lose him, because it's very, very important for us. But I don't know, I cannot control what's going to happen."
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