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Is Manchester City move right for Antoine Semenyo?
With Antoine Semenyo’s reported £65 million release clause active until January 10 and his representatives in talks with Manchester City over a January move, all signs point to the Bournemouth winger joining Pep Guardiola’s side amid interest from clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United. Semenyo has reportedly chosen City as his preferred destination, edging out other suitors as the transfer window looms.
Semenyo’s 2025-26 campaign has been his most productive yet: in 17 Premier League appearances, he’s netted nine goals and provided three assists, putting him among the league’s more efficient and influential attackers.
His blend of directness, pace and finishing prowess is precisely why City are keen to bolster their options out wide, especially given the rigours of competing on multiple fronts.
Tactically, the appeal of Semenyo to City is clear. His ability to take on defenders at speed and make incisive runs in behind could give City a fresh dimension on the flanks, particularly against deep-lying defences. His high work rate and willingness to press also align with City’s collective defensive ethos, meaning he’s far from a luxury attacker who shirks the less glamorous aspects of Guardiola’s system.
Yet the question of whether he’ll fit into Manchester City’s star-studded forward unit isn’t straightforward. Competition for minutes will be stiff: Jeremy Doku’s blistering pace and dribbling on the left, Rayan Cherki’s creative spark and Bernardo Silva’s tactical intelligence and experience make starting places at the Etihad anything but guaranteed.
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City’s recent recruitment history within the Premier League also adds a note of caution. Previous big-money acquisitions from domestic rivals have yielded mixed results; Jack Grealish struggled to consistently justify his price tag at the Etihad, while Matheus Nunes has yet to fully realise his potential in Manchester after a costly move. And the plight of forgotten man Kalvin Phillips should act as a cautionary tale.
These examples suggest that even proven Premier League performers can find the step up to a team like City less seamless than anticipated.
That’s not to say Semenyo would be a bad signing – far from it. His profile matches many of the traits Guardiola values in forward players and his directness could unlock the kind of deep-set defences that City’s intricate build-up sometimes struggles with.
But the context into which he’d be arriving – a group brimming with elite talent and tactical nuance – means he must be more than a rotational option if the move is to be judged a success.
Ultimately, while the narrative of Semenyo to Manchester City makes sense on paper and would likely see him added to a squad capable of winning every trophy available, it isn’t the sure-fire step many are making it out to be.
The risk of becoming another piece in a crowded attacking jigsaw means that the dream move could just as easily stall his development as elevate it, a consideration that both club and player will have to weigh carefully in the weeks ahead as the January window opens.
How to watch the Premier League in Canada on DAZN
DAZN is the home of soccer in Canada, with the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Carabao Cup, National League, Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Juliper Pro League, Saudi Pro League, Frauen Bundesliga, USL Super League, and Sports Direct Women's Premiership, club friendlies, and international friendlies are all available for Canadian fans.
For the 2025-26 season, Canadians will also be able to watch the Premier League and Serie A through Fubo Sports on DAZN, along with Serie A women, giving fans even more top-level soccer to consume.
