Antoine Semenyo has sealed his £62.5million move to Man City, joining the club on a five-and-a-half year deal.
The Ghanaian international, 26, was the Premier League’s most wanted man after details of his release clause emerged, and attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United.
But he has now completed his long-awaited transfer to Pep Guardiola’s side, bolstering their attacking options as they try to close gap to Premier League pacesetters Arsenal.
He will also don the No 42 shirt for City, last worn by club legend Yaya Toure.
‘I am so proud to have joined Manchester City. I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup,’ Semenyo said.
‘They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
‘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.
‘The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here and I hope to show everyone what I can do.’
Semenyo secured a fairytale ending with Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, scoring the winning goal in the 95th-minute to secure his side’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium.
He arrived in Manchester after flying out of the south coast on a black private jet at around 7.18am on Thursday morning. City have agreed an initial fee of £62.5million with Bournemouth plus add-ons and sell-on percentage.
The forward has shone for Bournemouth, scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances this season after scoring 13 in 42 last campaign.
He attracted interest from the Premier League’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea – who plotted a late swoop – and Liverpool. Man United were also thought to have considered a move.
But City’s director of football Hugo Viana said Semenyo ‘made it clear’ he only wanted a move to the Etihad.
‘His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout this process,’ Viana said.
‘He has huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games and, importantly, real room for growth and development. I am excited to see the player Antoine can become in the weeks, months and years ahead.
‘We are constantly watching players all over the world. Antoine was the one we most wanted.
‘He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and totally focused on being a better footballer. He is ideal for us.’
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said Semenyo deserved his perfect final bow with the club he signed for in 2023 from Bristol City for around £10million.
‘It’s not easy to do what he has done,’ Iraola said. ‘Most players would have acted differently.
‘He never found excuses. He was ready to give what we needed. We could keep him until the last second and it is fair that he leaves with the feeling he has at the end.
‘With the reception of the supporters, and all this. I am very happy for him.’
In what was virtually Semenyo’s last kick of the ball after two years in Bournemouth colours, he scored a goal that ended a run of 11 games without a win for the Cherries.
‘I am very happy for him personally because he deserves it,’ added Iraola. ‘A moment he will never forget. But it’s true a big miss, a player you cannot replace. He is an incredible player.
‘I don’t know how they will use him but he is a player improving every season with us and even before, in the lower divisions, stepping up and he is ready to do it again.’
In his farewell message to the club on X, Semenyo said he wanted fans to be ‘the first to know’ he was leaving the club.
‘It’s been an incredible three years. Came here as a young boy, wanting to learn, full of hunger and ambition,’ he said. ‘Bournemouth fans deserve a special shout-out because you’ve been great. Backed me, supported me, and gave me all the confidence in the world that I needed as a player.
‘I’ll never forget, and I’ll always be grateful,’ he added, before thanking Iraola, his staff, and his former team-mates.
Jamie Redknapp threw a bizarre spanner in the works on Sky Sports on Wednesday night when he claimed Liverpool could ‘still be in the equation’ and suggested that Semenyo’s move to City was not a certainty.
‘I think Liverpool could still be in the equation. I’ve got to be honest, why they haven’t come in as strongly (as City) I’m surprised because if you look at that position with Mohamed Salah and what happens with him and how long he’s going to be at the club for, we don’t quite know.
‘But if you have a player of that quality (Semenyo)… he’s showed he’s a matchwinner, he turns up in the big moments, why wouldn’t you be in for him?
‘I’m not saying it’s Sky Sports breaking news but I’ve heard tonight it might not be the foregone conclusion that everyone’s talking about him having a medical at Man City… there might still be a little twist.’
Meanwhile, Semenyo’s new team-mates suffered another blow to their title hopes on Wednesday when they drew 1-1 with Brighton, a result that was City’s third draw in a row.
