BREAKING NEWS: ANTOINE SEMENYO JOINS MANCHESTER CITY IN STUNNING RECORD £64 MILLION TRANSFER DEAL
Antoine Semenyo joins Manchester City for £64m. We analyse why Pep Guardiola chose the Bournemouth star to boost City's title charge.
Antoine Semenyo is about to move from Bournemouth to Manchester City. They've agreed on a deal that skips his release clause.
The 26-year-old scored the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Now, he's headed north for medical tests before joining the English champions. He'll be on a contract until June 2031.
The city will pay £62.5 million, with another £1.5 million in bonuses. If City sells him later, Bournemouth gets 10% of the profit.
This deal works out better for the city because they can pay over two years instead of all at once. Bournemouth gets more than they would have from Semenyo's release clause, which was about £65 million but would have left them with only £60 million after commitments, VAT, and a Premier League fee.
This sale beats Bournemouth's previous record when Dominic Solanke went to Spurs for £55 million plus bonuses in 2024 and even surpasses the offers for Semenyo last summer.
Even though he had chances to leave before, the Ghana international extended his contract but included an exit clause.
That meant Bournemouth couldn't really stop Semenyo's sale this time. Still, they see his 21 appearances, 10 goals, and three assists as a big help to their season.
Bournemouth convinced City to let Semenyo play in a few extra games, where they gained four important points. This shows Bournemouth's skill in negotiating, even with big clubs.
It also shows they're good at finding, developing, and selling players. Semenyo is the latest to leave for much more than they paid. He follows Illia Zabarnyi (Paris Saint-Germain), Milos Kerkez (Liverpool), and Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) to Champions League teams.
Why were so many Premier League teams after Semenyo?
Semenyo is dangerous on the fast break. He's fast and strong, can use either foot, and hits the ball well.
He uses these skills well at Bournemouth, driving their quick attacks that Andoni Iraola's team is now known for. He scored a great goal on the opening day at Anfield and made a great run and cross for Eli Junior Kroupi against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool's interest makes sense. Since Arne Slot took over last summer, they've created the most chances from fast breaks. They've also missed a winger with his skill since Luis Diaz left for Bayern Munich.
Manchester United also likes to attack quickly and could have used Semenyo's speed on the wings.
But Semenyo offers more than just speed. He's one of the most two-footed wingers around. With his size and quickness, he's a threat against any defence. Since last season started, only Erling Haaland has taken more non-penalty shots, and he scores from everywhere, beating his expected goals because he shoots so well.
Semenyo is excited when he has space, but he can also help break down tough defences.
Why did City want him so badly?
Pep Guardiola always wants wingers who can beat defenders one-on-one and score a lot of goals.
Even though Jeremy Doku is improving, Guardiola said after the 3-0 win against Liverpool that the Belgian winger probably won't be one of City's top scorers.
Guardiola also said that Savinho might be out for two months with an injury, and Oscar Bobb isn't quite a finisher yet. City hasn't really replaced Riyad Mahrez, or even Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.
They depend a lot on Erling Haaland, and Semenyo will add a threat from either wing, improving City's counterattack.
City has become a title contender. Adding Semenyo will be seen as a big move, bringing in a player who's in his prime and can win games.
TITLE BLUEPRINT: HOW MANCHESTER CITY’S GAME IN HAND COULD DECIDE THE 2026 PREMIER LEAGUE
Title hunt. Get the report on Guardiola’s control, Arteta’s lead, and the upcoming Leeds United clash.
Manchester City did exactly what they needed to over the weekend. They battled past Newcastle, squeaking out a 2-1 win that keeps their Premier League fate in their own hands. For a moment, City sat just two points behind Arsenal, at least until Arsenal rolled into Tottenham and smashed their rivals 4-1. That put Arsenal five clear at the top again, but City still have that all-important game in hand. After a weekend loaded with nerves and tension, City are still right in the thick of the title race, which is really all they can ask for at this point.
That win over Newcastle felt like a real test. You could feel the anxiety in the air at the Etihad. Newcastle didn’t just show up to make up the numbers; they pushed City hard and never let them settle. Every minute felt tight. City knew they had to win, especially with Arsenal dropping points to Wolves. More than that, they needed to prove to themselves they could handle the pressure. In the end, they got the job done, and that’s what mattered most.
Arsenal answered right back. They walked into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and blew Spurs away, 4-1. After their slip against Wolves, it was a real statement. Like City, Arsenal now control their own destiny. And now there’s that huge match coming up in April at the Etihad. If both teams keep winning, that could be the day the title race really explodes.
Looking ahead, neither City nor Arsenal will want to let anything slip. There’s just too much on the line. Sure, some people love a gamble; maybe they’d enjoy spinning the reels on Dragon Risk Slot, but Guardiola and Arteta aren’t gamblers when it comes to the title. They’ll want total control, nothing left to chance.
So, after a weekend packed with drama, both teams are right where they want to be. City got what they needed against Newcastle, and now they’ll look to keep that momentum going, starting with Leeds at Elland Road next weekend. The race is on.
BARCA TARGET MARMOUSH: MANCHESTER CITY STAR EMERGES AS TOP ALTERNATIVE FOR CATALAN GIANTS
Striker hunt: Discover why Barcelona are eyeing Omar Marmoush as a cut-price alternative to Atletico's €200m Julián Alvarez.
Barcelona are eyeing Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush as they look to bring in a new striker this summer.
Sport says Barcelona have already nailed down their main targets for next season, and a new No. 9 tops the list. The problem? The market’s thin, prices are crazy, and the big names cost a fortune.
Julián Alvarez is the dream signing, but Atlético Madrid wants about €150m (£130m). That’s way out of reach. So, Barca are already weighing other options, and Marmoush is high on their list of names they like.
Here’s why Marmoush’s situation at City makes things interesting. City bought him from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for €75m (£65m). Pep Guardiola had tracked him for a while; Marmoush was tearing it up in the Bundesliga, and even then, Barcelona’s scouts were watching him too. They think he’d fit right into Hansi Flick’s style, with his speed and link-up play.
But things haven’t clicked for him at City. Erling Haaland is locked in as the main striker, so Marmoush has mostly been on the bench or pushed out wide. He’s shown flashes when he’s come on, but the minutes just haven’t been there. Missing a month for the Africa Cup of Nations didn’t help either, so his stats look pretty average.
Rumours about a possible exit started back in January. Marmoush wants more game time and a bigger role, something Barcelona can offer. Still, they’re not the only ones watching. Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Galatasaray are all interested, which makes his future even more up in the air.
So, is Marmoush’s time at City almost up? Barcelona are in a good spot if Marmoush decides to leave this summer. He’s not their top choice, but if the Alvarez deal falls apart, they could pivot fast.
For City, it all comes down to price. Marmoush cost them €75m (£65m) not long ago, but reports say he could go for less if Guardiola gives the green light. Selling him at a discount would be a big statement; it would basically say he’s not in their plans behind Haaland.
Right now, there’s no official offer. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on things, and a lot depends on whether Marmoush asks for a move after the season wraps up. If he does, City will have to fend off competition from England and Turkey to get the deal done.
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