Manchester City is contemplating activating Antoine Semenyo’s £65 million release clause in the upcoming January transfer window, according to reports. The Bournemouth winger has caught the attention of several clubs, with City among those expressing keen interest as they seek to bolster their squad when the transfer window reopens on New Year’s Day.
Semenyo, 25, who made the switch from Bristol City to Bournemouth for £10 million earlier this year, has made a significant impact in the Premier League this season by scoring six goals and providing three assists in just 12 appearances. His versatility, being capable of playing on both wings and occasionally in a forward role, makes him an appealing option for City manager Pep Guardiola, especially as the team aims to close the gap with league leaders Arsenal during the second half of the season.
Liverpool has also shown interest in Semenyo, with their sporting director Richard Hughes having previously signed him while at Bournemouth. However, Liverpool reportedly does not plan to dive into the January transfer window following their substantial investment in new signings over the summer, which exceeded £400 million.
Guardiola has expressed concerns regarding his team’s heavy reliance on striker Erling Haaland, who has netted 14 of Manchester City’s 27 league goals this season. In recent years, City has typically boasted multiple players scoring in double figures, yet this season, Phil Foden is the only other player besides Haaland to score more than one goal.
Foden himself highlighted the need for contributions from other team members, especially in critical matches, stressing that success can’t solely hinge on Haaland. The England international believes that throughout the season, as more players find their form, the team’s scoring dynamics will improve.
Adding to City’s current concerns, the departure of forward Omar Marmoush for the Africa Cup of Nations will further challenge their attack. Marmoush is expected to leave for the tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18, impacting the squad for several weeks. In contrast, Semenyo will remain available as Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament this year.
In recent matches, Jérémy Doku has shown signs of rejuvenation, yet other wingers like Savinho and Oscar Bobb have not met performance expectations. Guardiola has occasionally resorted to deploying players like Bernardo Silva and Foden on the wings to compensate for the lack of consistent goal output from the other wide players.
City will need to address these scoring issues swiftly to maintain their competitiveness in the league, especially with their upcoming fixtures and the pressing challenge from Arsenal. As the January window approaches, the potential inclusion of Semenyo could prove pivotal in enhancing City’s attacking capabilities and overall squad depth.