Manchester City have moved into a commanding position in the pursuit of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, following Chelsea’s decision to step back from negotiations.
The Ghana international, 25, has a release clause in his contract valued at £65 million, which can be triggered during a specific window in the upcoming January transfer period. The fee is structured as a £60 million base payment with a further £5 million in potential add-ons.
Chelsea had made initial contact to assess the financial parameters of a deal, including the player’s salary expectations, but opted against a formal move after concluding their attacking department is sufficiently stocked. Their withdrawal has cleared a path for other suitors.
While Liverpool and Manchester United have maintained a longstanding interest and are understood to have made approaches, sources indicate Semenyo’s preferred destination is the Etihad Stadium. It is believed rival clubs now anticipate he will ultimately sign for Pep Guardiola’s side to bolster their championship challenge. The winger has previously turned down interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Semenyo has been in impressive form this campaign, contributing eight goals and three assists in the Premier League. His performances have made him a pivotal figure for Bournemouth since his arrival from Bristol City two years ago.
Cherries manager Andoni Iraola publicly acknowledged the speculation but expressed a strong desire to retain his key player. “The noise around Antoine is understandable,” Iraola stated. “My position is clear: I do not want to lose him. He brings immense value to our team beyond just his goal contributions. While the market always brings uncertainty, he is a massive player for us.”
Despite the manager’s hopes, Bournemouth have a recent history of sanctioning major sales for their top talent, leaving the door open for a potential record departure next month.