Manchester City have completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in a deal worth £64 million.
The Ghanaian forward has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side. Semenyo will wear the number 42 shirt at the Etihad and was full of optimism during the contract signing.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position, still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season,” he said.
City fended off interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to secure the 26-year-old’s signature. Director of football Hugo Viana explained the player’s desire to make the move.
“He (Semenyo) made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join. His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout this process,” he said.
Although Semenyo had a £65m release clause, City struck an agreement with Bournemouth worth £62.5m, with a further £1.5m in performance-related bonuses and a 10 per cent sell-on clause included.
While the guaranteed part of the release clause was £60m, Bournemouth will actually receive slightly more, with the £62.5m paid in 24-month instalments.
The release clause allowed Bournemouth to keep Semenyo for an extra six months after heavy interest last summer, and the eventual fee is higher than any of the bids they received at that time.
The forward signed off in style, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, before completing his Manchester City medical on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Former club Bristol City are also set to benefit, as they are owed 20 per cent of any profit from the deal after selling Semenyo to Bournemouth in January 2023 for around £10m.
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