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Manchester City have completed the signing of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in a deal worth around £65m.
The move represents a record sale for the Cherries after City triggered Semenyo’s release clause before the deadline. Bournemouth will receive a guaranteed £62.5m paid in 24 monthly instalments, with additional bonuses included in the agreement.
Semenyo has signed a contract running until 2031 and will wear the No 42 shirt, previously worn by former City midfielder Yaya Toure, a key figure in the club’s recent history.
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” Semenyo said. “They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep Guardiola. My best football is yet to come and it’s a real privilege to be here.”
The 26-year-old winger arrives after an impressive spell with Bournemouth, ending his time at the club by scoring a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday. He scored four goals in his final six appearances and has 10 Premier League goals this season, placing him third in the scoring charts behind Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
City beat competition from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to secure Semenyo’s signature. Director of football Hugo Viana said the forward was the club’s top target.
“Antoine is a really exciting signing,” Viana said. “He has pace, power, two great feet and a real ability to influence games. Importantly, he also has room to grow and develop. He made it clear from the start that City was the club he wanted.”
Semenyo joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for around £10m in January 2023 and leaves with 32 goals and 13 assists from 110 appearances in all competitions. His arrival takes Manchester City’s transfer spending over the last 12 months to £425.9m across 14 new players.
The forward believes he can make an immediate impact as City continue to compete on multiple fronts this season, adding: “City are still involved in four competitions and I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the campaign.”
