Manchester City are close to signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on a permanent deal.
Negotiations have progressed rapidly in the past 24 hours and have now reached an advanced stage.
The final details of the £65m release clause are being worked out between the clubs, with City also understood to be close to finalizing personal terms with the winger.
However, no other clubs are expected to intervene at this late stage and there is no rush to conclude a deal as his release clause does not take effect until Thursday, when the transfer window opens.
City are the only club to have approached Bournemouth about a release clause so far, and the deal is thought to run from January 1st to January 10th.
This was despite interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea before Christmas. Chelsea chose not to pursue it further after making inquiries, and Spurs also moved on to other targets.
Semenyo is also included in Bournemouth’s squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge for Tuesday’s game against Chelsea, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
It has also not been ruled out that the player could be in the squad for Bournemouth’s home game against Arsenal on Saturday.
Semenyo’s agent traveled to Manchester on Monday to discuss personal terms with City, while positive negotiations between the clubs took place at the same time.
Bournemouth’s search for Semenyo’s replacement is in full swing, but Brennan Johnson, who they are interested in, could move to Crystal Palace after agreeing a £35m transfer fee with Tottenham. Prime Minister Johnson has not yet made a final decision.
Will Manchester City look to make other signings in January?
Borussia Dortmund are one of several clubs interested in Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb.
If Semenyo’s deal crosses the line, the winger could leave in January. If he does decide to leave, it is expected that he will initially be transferred on loan, and that a permanent transfer will be discussed later.
Sky Sports News understands that City want to keep Sabinho and Omar Marmouche even if they sign Semenho.
Josep Guardiola has ruled out reserve goalkeeper James Trafford leaving in January despite the England international feeling uncertain about his own role with Gianluigi Donnarumma his first choice, but City are open to letting Stefan Ortega leave.
In the long term, City are also looking to cover central midfield in Tijani Lijnders, with Mateo Kovacic injured and Bernardo Silva out of contract in the summer.
Right-back was an area City were looking at in the summer, but Matheus Nunez’s excellent performances in the position meant he was removed from their priority list. Tino Libramento is a long-term target but Newcastle have no intention of letting him go.
City are one of the clubs interested in signing Marc Guehi on a free transfer next summer, John Stones is in the final year of his contract and Nathan Ake will soon turn 31.
Why Manchester City want Semenyo?
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Ron Walker:
He would be an attractive purchase for all of Antoine Semenyo’s top-level suitors. He is a proven, Premier League-ready, two-footed player who is entering his prime and available for a cut-price fee in this day and age.
What he offers Man City in particular is an answer to the growing problem of over-reliance on Erling Haaland’s goals.
Since the start of last season, Haaland has contributed to the club with a higher scoring rate than any other player in the Premier League. While he continues to score for fun, a more serious problem arises. But what happens if your form declines, or you get injured or suspended?
If Haaland is in good form, he won’t be sidelined or look to bring in a strike partner, so Pep Guardiola will need help from elsewhere if he wants to ease his burden.
On current form, there are few better solutions than Semenyo, who is tied for third in the Premier League.
City already have wingers suited to a more direct style in Jeremy Doku and Savignho, but neither are close to Bournemouth’s final product.
Haaland is the only City player who has contributed more goals than Semenyo this season, and Semenyo’s basic numbers are equally impressive.
In open play, he creates more chances than the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jarrod Bowen.
Even without the ball, he is clearly able to meet Guardiola’s high demands. According to Opta, no forward has tracked back and recovered as well as Semenyo this season.
Of course, Man City’s squad already has a wealth of attacking talent, and Semenyo’s minutes will be limited, especially considering Rayan Cherki was sacked in recent weeks. But there is no doubt that he has the qualities to make a big contribution to either wing.
Semenyo option – starter not guaranteed
Semenyo is an out-and-out winger, but does his profile really suit Manchester City right now?
Analysis by Laura Hunter of Sky Sports:
The only downside here is that one of the league’s best offensive linemen remains complacent when sharing time with other players. Semenyo never played a bit role at Bournemouth.
Obviously, this move makes a lot of sense. Semenyo’s immediate threat and performance and Erling Haaland’s elite-level finishing could be devastating. However, there is.
Man City seemed to have outgrown the pacy winger. In other words, Guardiola’s latest evolution does not necessarily result in the wide play of the past, when attacks were built around the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
This version of City wants their wide players to hide inside, favoring more technical types who can play complex passes, like Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden, referenced above. Even Jeremy Doku has been asked to operate more in the central zone this season.
Semenho has many of the attributes to flourish at a top Premier League club, but if he ends up at City his adaptability will be tested by Guardiola’s ever-evolving approach at City.
