Manchester, United Kingdom — Manchester City have bolstered their attacking options with the high-profile acquisition of Ghana international forward Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth. The deal, confirmed on January 9, 2026, sees the 26-year-old join Pep Guardiola's side on a five-and-a-half-year contract until the summer of 2031, with the total fee reaching up to £64 million.
The transfer represents a club-record sale for Bournemouth, who receive a guaranteed initial payment of £62.5 million, payable over 24 monthly instalments, plus up to £1.5 million in performance-related add-ons and a 10% sell-on clause for any future transfer. City negotiated the agreement outside of Semenyo's full £65 million release clause, which had a narrow activation window in early January, securing the player ahead of stiff competition from several Premier League rivals.
Semenyo, who will wear the iconic No. 42 shirt previously donned by club legend Yaya Touré, expressed immense excitement about the move. "My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that," he said in a statement on Manchester City's official website. "And City are in a great position — still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season." The forward highlighted his admiration for Guardiola's tenure and City's dominance in domestic and European football over the past decade.
Director of football Hugo Viana praised the player's enthusiasm, noting: "He made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join. His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout this process." Guardiola, speaking at a pre-match press conference, confirmed Semenyo's immediate availability, revealing he would be part of the match-day squad for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Exeter City. The manager described Semenyo as an "extraordinary" talent the club had monitored for years, adding that City had beaten interest from "many clubs" to secure his signature.
The signing caps a busy period for City in the transfer market. The £64 million outlay pushes their total spending over the last 12 months to £425.9 million across 14 new players, reflecting a significant investment in squad depth amid ongoing challenges in the 2025/26 season. Semenyo arrives as City's first major addition of the January window, providing fresh impetus to an attack that remains in contention across the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Champions League.
Semenyo's form at Bournemouth has been impressive this campaign, with 10 Premier League goals and three assists in 20 appearances, making him one of the division's standout performers. His physicality, pace, directness, and ability to score from distance have drawn comparisons to elite wingers, while his versatility allows him to operate on either flank or centrally. The Ghana international, who has represented his country at senior level, brings added goal threat and dynamism to Guardiola's system.
City fended off strong interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, who had all been linked with the player at various points. Semenyo's preference for the Etihad project proved decisive, underscoring the club's enduring appeal even in a transitional phase.
The move highlights Bournemouth's savvy recruitment and player development, turning a talent overlooked by bigger clubs in his youth into a record sale. Semenyo's journey — from academy rejections to thriving in the Premier League and now joining one of Europe's elite — adds an inspiring narrative to the transfer.
With Semenyo set to integrate quickly, City fans will hope his arrival sparks a resurgence as the team pushes for silverware in the second half of the season. Guardiola's squad, already featuring world-class talents, gains another potent weapon in their quest to reclaim domestic dominance and succeed in Europe.
