Manchester City are expected to finalise the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth before the weekend despite reports of a potential hijack attempt from Premier League rivals.
City have agreed to sign Semenyo for a fee just under the player’s £65m release clause. Pep Guardiola’s side are set to win a competitive race for the Ghana international, despite interest from top-flight rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United had both been keen on Semenyo, while reports on Wednesday emerged that Liverpool hoped to hijack the deal.
Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, was behind the deal that took Semenyo to Bournemouth during his time at the South Coast side.
However, there are not expected to be any complications in City’s pursuit. Semenyo is undergoing a medical today ahead of signing a long-term contract.
The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals in the Premier League this season, including a last-gasp winner in Bournemouth’s 3-2 win over Tottenham on Wednesday.
Semenyo played for the Cherries despite the agreement over a move to Manchester, a farewell that earned the winger praise from Bourneouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Antoine Semenyo scores a stoppage-time winner for Bournemouth on his 26th birthday.
And that may have been his final goal for the Cherries 🍒❤️ pic.twitter.com/wh6nLxSQam
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 7, 2026
“I am very happy for him. He deserves it. It was a fairy tale moment and one he will never forget. He’s an incredible player,” Iraola said.
“Not a lot of players would have done what he did [keep playing for Bournemouth after an agreement with Manchester City].”
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