Manchester City have moved decisively in the transfer market, completing the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in a deal worth around £65 million.
The Ghana international arrives at the Etihad Stadium after City activated a release clause that had to be triggered before the weekend. The structure of the deal sees £62.5 million paid across 24 monthly instalments, with performance related bonuses on top. It represents a record sale for Bournemouth and underlines just how far Antoine Semenyo’s stock has risen over the last 18 months.
The 26 year old has signed a long term contract running until 2031 and will wear the number 42 shirt, a number with real significance at Manchester City after being previously worn by Yaya Toure during his trophy laden spell at the club.
For Pep Guardiola, this is a signing about now and the future. A player already performing at a high Premier League level, but one City believe still has significant room to grow.
A statement signing driven by Guardiola’s vision
From the moment City decided to activate the clause, this was a move driven by conviction rather than opportunity. Several Premier League heavyweights were tracking Antoine Semenyo, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, yet City moved fastest and most decisively.
Speaking after completing the move, Semenyo made it clear where his priorities lay.
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City. They have set the highest of standards and it is a club with world class players, world class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.”
That reference to Pep Guardiola is key. City’s recruitment under Guardiola has consistently targeted players who can adapt tactically, press intelligently and thrive in possession dominant systems. Semenyo ticks every one of those boxes.
“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It is a real privilege to be here. My best football is yet to come.”
City do not view this as a finished article purchase. They see an elite physical profile, proven Premier League output and a mindset that aligns perfectly with Guardiola’s demands.
Why Manchester City believe Semenyo is worth the fee
In an inflated market, £65 million for a 26 year old winger might appear steep on the surface. Dig deeper and the logic becomes clearer.
This season, Antoine Semenyo has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking outlets. He has scored 10 league goals from 20 appearances, placing him third in the goalscoring charts behind new team mate Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago of Brentford. He has also scored four goals in his final six games for Bournemouth, finishing his Cherries career with momentum and confidence.
Crucially for City, his influence extends beyond goals. Semenyo leads Bournemouth across several attacking metrics, particularly ball carrying in the final third and direct goal involvement. He is comfortable receiving under pressure, driving past defenders and attacking space aggressively, traits Guardiola values highly in wide players.
Defensively, his numbers are just as compelling. Since the start of last season, Semenyo has won the ball back in the final third more often than any other Premier League player. That pressing intensity is non negotiable in City’s system, especially in big Champions League and title defining fixtures.
For Guardiola, this is not just about adding depth. It is about adding a different type of threat.
A farewell sealed in dramatic Bournemouth fashion
Semenyo’s departure from Bournemouth came with a moment perfectly fitting his season. On Wednesday night, he scored a stoppage time winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, a goal that effectively served as his goodbye to the Vitality Stadium.
It was a reminder of what Bournemouth are losing. Since arriving from Bristol City in January 2023 for around £10 million, Semenyo has delivered 32 goals and 13 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions. His development has been rapid, sustained and, crucially, consistent.
Last summer, the club moved quickly to secure his future with a contract extension running to 2030. That decision has now paid off handsomely, turning a £10 million investment into a club record sale less than two years later.
For Bournemouth, replacing his output and physical presence mid season will be an enormous challenge.
From Championship grind to Premier League elite
Semenyo’s rise has not been overnight. His journey to the top level has been built on persistence and steady progression rather than hype.
He began his professional career with Bristol City, making 125 Championship appearances and registering 21 goals and 21 assists. Along the way, he gained valuable experience through loan spells at Sunderland, Newport County and non league Bath City, each step sharpening his physical and mental resilience.
That grounding shows in his game today. He is comfortable in contact, fearless in duels and rarely fazed by hostile environments. For Manchester City, signing players with that background often reduces adaptation risk, especially during the intensity of title run ins and European knockouts.
At 26, Semenyo is entering what should be his peak years. City believe they are buying a player ready to contribute immediately while still having significant upside under elite coaching.
How Semenyo fits into Manchester City’s evolving attack
With Erling Haaland leading the line, City have increasingly looked for wide players who can stretch defences vertically, attack the box decisively and contribute without dominating possession. Semenyo offers all three.
He is comfortable operating from either flank, can play through the middle if required and brings a directness that contrasts with City’s more technical wide options. His pace and power give Guardiola tactical flexibility, particularly against low blocks or physically robust opponents.
There is also the question of rotation. City’s relentless schedule demands depth without drop off. Semenyo’s arrival eases the load across multiple competitions while maintaining intensity and pressing standards.
Director of football Hugo Viana summed up the club’s thinking succinctly.
“Antoine is a really exciting signing. He made it clear immediately that it was City he wanted. He has two great feet, pace, power and a habit of influencing games. Importantly, he has real room for growth. He is humble, hard working and totally focused on being a better footballer.”
Those traits explain why City were prepared to move decisively and beat several rivals to his signature.
A deal that strengthens City and reshapes Bournemouth
For Manchester City, this is a calculated addition rather than a headline grabbing gamble. Semenyo brings immediate Premier League output, elite pressing numbers and a profile that fits Guardiola’s evolving tactical demands.
For Bournemouth, it is bittersweet. Losing their standout performer mid season hurts, but securing a record fee reinforces the club’s ability to develop, maximise and sell elite talent on their own terms.
As Semenyo pulls on sky blue for the first time, expectations will be high. Yet everything about his rise suggests he is ready for the step. Under Pep Guardiola, few environments are better suited to turning elite potential into sustained excellence.