Deal almost agreed 

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Antoine Semenyo is edging closer to a blockbuster move to Manchester City. It’s understood that Semenyo’s representatives are in Manchester for talks with City chiefs to agree personal terms, with Pep Guardiola’s side willing to activate Semenyo’s release clause. The 25-year-old’s contract at Bournemouth includes a €74.5m release clause that is active between January 1st and January 10th.

Numerous English top-flight teams have been linked with Semenyo but it’s understood that City are the only club to officially approach Bournemouth. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all held an interest in the Ghanaian international but his preference is to join Guardiola’s men. It’s expected that personal terms will be agreed swiftly and Semenyo will likely join the reigning champions soon after the transfer window opens on Thursday.

Why Manchester City want Semenyo

It might raise eyebrows why Man City are so eager to sign Semenyo as they aren’t short of players that can be deployed in wide areas. Semenyo has predominantly played on the left-wing and Jérémy Doku has impressed in that role for City this season. Moreover, Savinho and Omar Marmoush can both occupy that position and City paid €75 million just last January to sign the latter from Frankfurt.

But City clearly believe that Semenyo is an attractive market opportunity at a reasonable price and he could be decisive in their bid to win the Premier League title. Semenyo has been outstanding for Bournemouth across the last 18 months and he’s registered 12 goal contributions in the league this season – only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have more. You can read a detailed breakdown of Semeyo’s incredible rise here.