The race for the Premier League’s most in-demand winger is nearing its conclusion. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, reports confirmed that Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth have entered direct negotiations to finalize a deal for Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window.
With the window set to open in just over a week, Pep Guardiola's side has emerged as the clear frontrunners, looking to bypass a potential bidding war by moving decisively for the Ghanaian international.
The £65 Million Clause
The urgency behind this week's direct contact is driven by a unique "timed" release clause in Semenyo’s contract, which he signed in July 2025.
The Terms: The clause is valued at £65 million (£60m fixed + £5m add-ons).
The Window: Crucially, this clause is only active for the first two weeks of January.
The Strategy: By initiating talks now, Manchester City aims to have the paperwork ready to be triggered on January 1st, giving Bournemouth ample time to secure a replacement—a key requirement from Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.
Why Semenyo? The "Alvarez Replacement"
Manchester City’s recruitment team, led by incoming Sporting Director Hugo Viana, reportedly views Semenyo as the final piece of the puzzle to sustain their title charge against Arsenal.
The Goal Threat: With 8 goals and 3 assists in 16 appearances this season, Semenyo is currently the third-highest scorer in the Premier League, trailing only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago.
Versatility: Guardiola is said to be impressed by Semenyo’s ability to play anywhere across the front three, effectively filling the "versatile attacker" void left by Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid.
Premier League Proven: City has pivoted toward signing players already acclimated to the league's physicality, and Semenyo’s "powerful and direct" style offers a different dimension to the intricate play of Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
The Rivals: Chelsea and United Walk Away
For a brief moment on Monday, it appeared Chelsea would hijack the deal. However, after an initial enquiry into the player’s wage demands, Enzo Maresca’s side reportedly withdrew their interest, citing confidence in their current wide options.
Manchester United remain interested, with Ruben Amorim keen on the forward, but David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Semenyo has given the "green light" to Manchester City, preferring the prospect of immediate silverware at the Etihad.
The Verdict: The "Semenyo Saga" is moving toward a swift resolution. If direct talks continue at this pace, expect a "Here We Go" announcement before the New Year, potentially making him the first major signing of the 2026 winter window.