Antoine Semenyo has played his final game for Bournemouth before joining Man City in the January transfer window, Andoni Iraola confirmed on Wednesday night.
The winger left the perfect parting gift for the Cherries as he scored a stunning late goal to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Dean Court on his 26th birthday.
The Bournemouth fans gave Semenyo a standing ovation when he was subbed off in the 100th minute of the game ahead of his £65 million move to City.
Antoine Semenyo exit confirmed ahead of Man City transfer
Asked if that was the Ghana international’s last appearance for the club, Iraola told BBC Match of the Day: “I think it was, unluckily for us I think it was.
“He has been if not the best, one of the best I have coached. He has improved every single season. He has scored 10 goals in half a season and not even a number nine.
“It is not just the numbers but a lot of things – the physicality, the balls in the air and the defensive things. He will be a big miss.”
Iraola also told Sky Sports that the deal with City is more or less done. “You have medical, all the formalities. I’m afraid to say it, as I don’t want to lose him, but I think it’s going to be his last moments with us.”
Ahead of the game, Iraola said there would be no more outgoings at Bournemouth and hopes that new signings will be made.
“We are very thin on numbers,” he told Sky Sports. “If Antoine leaves, he is definitely the last one to leave. Movement will happen in the other direction, hopefully!
“The club is working, it’s not very easy to sign in the winter market, no-one wants to lose good players but we definitely need players and I know the club is working on it.”
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, would not be drawn on Semenyo’s impending arrival following Man City’s draw with Brighton.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what is going to happen in the transfer window,” he said.
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