Manchester City have moved into advanced talks to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo as the January transfer window approaches, with the Premier League champions seeking to trigger the 25 year old’s £65 million release clause before it expires on 10 January.
The England born attacker, who represents Ghana through his father, has attracted wide interest across the league. Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also understood to have made enquiries, turning Semenyo into one of the most talked about African linked players ahead of the mid season window.
City’s interest comes amid injury concerns and squad gaps as Pep Guardiola’s side chase leaders Arsenal. Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku are sidelined, while Omar Marmoush is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Ghana’s failure to qualify for the continental tournament leaves Semenyo fully available during the period, an added incentive for City.
Semenyo’s rise has been far from straightforward. He was turned away by Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall in his youth before finding an opportunity in the west of England under the guidance of former Leeds United and Forest Green manager Dave Hockaday. Bristol City signed him in 2017, followed by loan spells at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland, before he broke into the Robins’ first team during the 2020 to 2021 season.
A £10 million move to Bournemouth in January 2023 marked a turning point. Since then, his progress has been steady and convincing. This season alone, he has been directly involved in 11 of Bournemouth’s 26 league goals, despite the club’s seven match winless run which has left them 15th on the table.
Guardiola has publicly praised the forward after City’s 3 to 1 win over Bournemouth on 2 November, describing Semenyo as a player full of energy, confidence and constant movement. The City manager has admired his ability to drive forward directly with the ball and his willingness to attack space, qualities seen as different from the profiles already in City’s wide areas.
Statistically, Semenyo may not top chance creation charts compared to teammates such as Rayan Cherki or Doku, but his end product has stood out. Since April, he has scored 12 league goals and registered four assists, placing him among the most productive attackers in the division. Only Erling Haaland and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers have been involved in more Premier League goals during that period.
In 2025, Semenyo has contributed 20 goal involvements with 14 goals and six assists, becoming only the second Ghana international to reach that mark in a calendar year after Tony Yeboah in 1995. One more goal involvement before the end of December would see him surpass Dominic Solanke’s Bournemouth record.
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green believes Semenyo offers something different to City’s current options, while ex City keeper Shay Given has described him as a player operating at the peak of his career.
At Bournemouth, head coach Andoni Iraola faces the challenge of convincing his star man to stay. Despite recent results, the club remains closer to the top four than the relegation zone, and optimism surrounds new training facilities and long term stadium plans. Former striker Sam Vokes has questioned why Semenyo would want to leave a system where he appears settled and enjoying his football.
Since his debut for Bournemouth in 2023, the club has lost only twice in matches where Semenyo has found the net, underlining his influence. Teammate Justin Kluivert has already labelled him world class, a sentiment now echoed by some of Europe’s biggest clubs as January draws near.
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