Club are understood to have accelerated talks and are now working towards completing the deal
Manchester City are moving closer to securing the signing of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, with the Premier League champions now firmly at the front of the queue for the Ghana international.
The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the most in-demand attackers in the league, with a £65m release clause in his Bournemouth contract expected to be active during the January window.
City are understood to have accelerated talks and now working towards completing the deal, with paperwork prepared and clarity expected imminently.
Semenyo’s form has drawn attention from several elite clubs. Manchester United and Liverpool have both monitored his progress this season, while interest from abroad has also been noted. But City have made the decisive move after Chelsea pulled back on signing the player.
The Bournemouth forward is seen by the club as capable of adding immediate impact to Pep Guardiola’s already deep attacking options. City are chasing Arsenal in the title race and lost ground this week with a goalless draw at Sunderland. Semenyo is regarded as one of the brightest attacking prospects in the league. The Ghanaian has scored nine goals this season, following 13 scored last term.
Signed from Bristol City for £10m in January 2023, he would represent a significant profit for the south coast club if the clause is triggered.
Bournemouth are reluctant sellers and have made it clear they expect Semenyo to remain involved in the short term. Iraola reiterated that stance after his side’s recent draw with Chelsea.
“Antoine is performing very well, and I’m expecting him to be available also in the next game for us too,” said Iraola. “There is a lot of noise around him, but my worry as a coach is that he can keep up the performance level he is having.”
“It’s not his last game here with us. I cannot say 100% but I think he will play. Definitely he’s going to be an important player for us.”
