Match of the Day’s Dion Dublin and Rob Green analyse Antoine Semenyo’s Manchester City debut as his new side thumped League One Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup third round.
WATCH: ‘It’s double figures’ – Manchester City score 10 as they thrash Exeter
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Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is close to joining Manchester City after they activated a £65m release clause in his contract.
The 25-year-old is likely to complete the move after making a final appearance for the Cherries in Saturday’s game against his soon-to-be-club’s title rivals Arsenal.
Most of the big-spending clubs in the Premier League had been interested in the Ghana international after he became one of the stars of the 2025-26 season.
Semenyo is the third top scorer in the league with nine goals, plus has three assists.
And now the former Bristol City man will finally have the opportunity to play in Europe – and the Champions League.
But the question is – and this is why Semenyo is facing a big 2026 – how quickly can he break into the City XI with so much competition for attacking places?
Watch all nine goals of Antoine Semenyo’s goals for Bournemouth this season, as the forward inches towards a move to Manchester City.
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Semenyo’s profile is a unique one and at the reported price point, it feels like a no-brainer.
Stylistically we have seen City lean into attacking in transition with more pace this season than previously under Guardiola, who has played on the strengths of Haaland, Foden, Tijjani Reijnders and Doku – attacking quickly over big distances.
As a result, City have scored from more fast breaks this season than during the entire 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons combined.
Bournemouth‘s direct style of attack means Semenyo’s pace, good hold-up play, smart decision-making and two-footed ball-striking are more easily transferred to this City side.
These are dangerous traits, especially when going long against teams that attempt to press high up the pitch.
Guardiola likes versatile players too, given they provide solutions to injury crises.
With Doku out injured, Reijnders has come in and shifted Foden out to the left. Semenyo would provide Premier League proven quality on both wings.
“The years we were successful, not just the strikers [were scoring], especially the wingers, attacking midfielders. We need that,” said Guardiola earlier this month.
City’s over-reliance on Haaland’s 19 goals will be something he wants to address. Foden has scored the second most with seven but has been moved away from the number 10 position, where he scores often from distance.
The signing of Semenyo would help get Foden back in the areas Guardiola feels he is most dangerous.
Semenyo has the added benefit of providing goals himself while starting as a winger. With eight in the league this season, only Igor Thiago and Haaland have more.
If City want to overtake Arsenal and win the league, getting scorers behind Haaland would be a smart move.
From a financial perspective, well-placed sources insist interested clubs are all willing to pay a very similar remuneration package to Semenyo, whose final decision will be made with an emphasis on his personal sporting ambitions.
He turns 26 on 7 January and there is a recognition he is entering the prime of his career.
“I know there is lots of noise around him,” said Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. “[It is] not my concern, my concern is it doesn’t affect his performances. It is not doing, he is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him here.
“[A] situation we cannot control, but Antoine right now is our player, going to continue playing for us. If you ask me, I don’t want to lose him, definitely don’t. But every time the market opens, you never know what is going to happen.”
With that in mind, it is understood Semenyo will prioritise a club he believes can provide him with what he views as the most suitable project to compete for major trophies on a long-term basis.
The location and impact on his family will also be a contributing factor to his decision and it is understood he does not want the saga to become a long drawn-out process.
Manchester United open talks with Antoine Semenyo but Kobbie Mainoo keen to leave Old Trafford, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in for Brennan Johnson and three Premier League clubs interested in Denzel Dumfries.
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, sees no future for himself at Manchester United under manager Ruben Amorim and would consider a permanent move away from his boyhood club in January. (Mail – subscription required), external
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham have opened talks with 25-year-old Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo over a £65m move but must wrap up a deal with Bournemouth by 10 January to secure his services. (The i – subscription required), external
Manchester United believe Semenyo could strengthen their left side with Amorim having doubts over Denmark international Patrick Dorgu, 21, who was signed for £25m in February from Leece. (Sun), external
Bournemouth view Tottenham and Wales winger Brennan Johnson, 24, as an option to replace Semenyo. (Teamtalk), external
However, the Cherries are likely to face competition from Crystal Palace, who have registered an interest in signing Johnson from Spurs. (Guardian), external
Barcelona are increasingly likely to trigger a £26m clause to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United with the 28-year-old England forward rediscovering his form on loan in Spain. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish, external)
Sassuolo’s 27-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente is set to push for a January exit amid ongoing speculation linking him with Sunderland. (Sunderland Echo), external
Real Madrid have emerged as a possible January destination for Al-Hilal and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, 28. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
AC Milan want Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, 41, to return to the club in the winter transfer window, after he terminated his contract with Fluminense by mutual consent. (ESPN), external
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, 34, has triggered an appearance-related one-year contract extension that will keep the England centre-back at the club until 2027. (Sky Sports, external)
Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all interested in Inter Milan and the Netherlands wing-back Denzel Dumfries, 29. (Teamtalk), external
Barcelona are set to seal a sensational deal to sign 15-year-old Norwich starlet Ajay Tavares, who has played for England at Under-17 level. (Sun), external
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior and Como boss Cesc Fabregas are among the candidates Chelsea are looking at if Italian head coach Enzo Maresco leaves Stamford Bridge. (Caught Offside, external)
Manchester United target Antoine Semenyo in January transfer, Ruben Neves wants Premier League return, Bruno Fernandes’ release clause revealed and Bukayo Saka on the verge of signing ‘record-breaking’ Arsenal contract.
Manchester United will go all-out to sign Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo in January and hope the uncertainty over Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City could boost their chances of landing the 25-year-old. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Portugal international Ruben Neves, 28, has rejected a new contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and wants a return to Europe with Manchester United a possible destination for the former Wolves midfielder. (Times – subscription required), external
Manchester United will only consider selling Kobbie Mainoo, 20, in the January transfer window if they receive an exceptional offer and the club are equally reluctant to let the England midfielder leave on loan. (Sky Sports), external
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, 45, is high among the candidates Manchester City are considering if Spanish manager Pep Guardiola, 54, leaves the Etihad Stadium next summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external
Saint-Etienne have rejected an initial offer of 8m euros (£7m) from Chelsea for Djylian N’Guessan, 17, but would consider selling the French striker for 12.5m euros (£11m). (L’Equipe – in French), external
AZ Alkmaar’s talented Dutchman Kees Smit, 19, is one of four midfielders being monitored by Newcastle, while Toulouse’s French defender Dayann Methalie, 19, is also thought to be high on their wishlist. (Mail – subscription required), external
Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 31, has a clause in his contract that means clubs outside the Premier League can buy him for £56.6m. (Mail – subscription required), external
Atletico Madrid are interested in signing England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, who is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
It is very unlikely Bayern Munich will exercise the option to make Nicolas Jackson’s loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer, with the 24-year-old Senegal striker used as a back-up for England international Harry Kane, 32. (Bild – in German), external
Bukayo Saka, 24, will become the first player in Arsenal’s history to earn a weekly wage of £300,000, with the club close to announcing a record-breaking new deal for the England winger that will run until 2031. (Teamtalk), external
West Ham winger Luis Guilherme wants to stay and fight for his place at the club, despite reports linking the 19-year-old Brazilian with a move in January. (Sky Sports), external
National League side Morecambe are interested in extending the loan of Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri, with the 20-year-old Albania international also attracting interest from clubs higher up the football pyramid. (Sun), external