Manchester City have signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £64 million.
The forward joined Pep Guardiola’s side on a five-and-a-half-year contract, taking City’s spending on 14 players to £425.9m in the last 12 months.
The Ghana international, who will wear the number 42 shirt, said: “My best football is yet to come, I’m convinced of that. And City are in a good position with four competitions still in play. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season.”
City beat competition from rivals Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to sign the 26-year-old.
Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana said: “He (Semenho) made it clear to us right away that Manchester City is where he wants to move to. His passion for this football club has been clear throughout this process.”
City have agreed a deal with Bournemouth, on top of Semenyo’s £65m release clause, a £62.5m release clause, performance-related bonuses worth £1.5m and a 10% sell-on clause.
The guaranteed portion of the release clause was £60m, but the transfer fee Bournemouth will now receive is slightly more, £62.5m, spread over 24 monthly installments.
The release clause means Bournemouth will keep Semenyo for a further six months following his summer move, with the sale price being higher than any offer they received at the time.
Semenyo scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner in his last game against Bournemouth to secure a 3-2 home win over Spurs and underwent a Manchester City medical on Thursday.
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Semenyo scored in a stunning late win over Spurs in his final game for Bournemouth.
Championship club Bristol City will have to pay 20% of the profits they earn from Semenyo, who left for a move to Bournemouth for around £10m in January 2023.
Semenyo’s move means Bournemouth have made £266.5m from player sales in the last six months following the moves of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid (£50m), Milos Kerkez to Liverpool (£40m), Illia Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain (£57m) and Dango Ouattara to Brentford (£42m).
Semenyo: It’s a real privilege to join City
Semenyo left Bournemouth with 10 goals and 3 assists in the Premier League this season.
Semenyo said: “I am very proud to be joining Manchester City. I have followed City under Pep Guardiola for the past 10 years. Not only are they the dominant team in the Premier League, but they have also achieved incredible performances in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
“They have set the highest standards and are a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the best managers Pep has ever had.
“I have so much room to improve, so being at this club at this stage of my career is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“The Etihad is my new home and I can’t wait to play here in front of the fans. I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do.”
Meanwhile, Viana revealed that the former Bristol City forward was “the player we wanted the most”.
The Portugal international said: “He has tremendous qualities: two feet, pace, power, the habit of influencing the game and, importantly, there is room for growth and development. I am delighted to see the player Antoine can be in the coming weeks, months and years.”
“We are constantly watching players from all over the world. Antoine was the one we wanted the most. He showed that he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and completely focused on becoming a better footballer. He is the ideal person for us.”
A look at Manchester City’s spending
Manchester City have spent £1.75 billion since the start of the 2016/17 season.
Manchester City signings in the last 12 months
January 2025 – £176.1m
Abdukhodir Khusanov – Lenses, £33.5m
Victor Race – Palmeiras, £29.6m
Omar Mamoosh – Eintracht Frankfurt, £63.2m
Nico Gonzalez – Porto, £50m
Christian MacFarlane – New York City, undisclosed
Bazuma – Real Valladolid, undisclosed
Summer 2025 – £185.8m
Tijani Reinders – AC Milan, £46.3m
Rayan Ait Nuri – Wolves, £36m
Marcus Bettinelli – Chelsea, undisclosed
Rayan Cherki – Lyon, £34m
I swear to you – Rosenborg, £12.5m
james trafford – Burnley, £31m
Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG, £26m
January 2026 – £64m
Antoine Semeno – Bournemouth, £64m
