ANTOINE SEMENYO has completed his transfer to Manchester City after sealing a £62.5million move.
The Bournemouth star underwent his medical yesterday (Thursday) and penned a five-and-a-half year contract with Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers.
The Ghanaian’s arrival will mean Guardiola has overseen a £400m rebuild of his Etihad squad in the last 12 months.
They may not be finished there either — with a swoop for England centre-back Marc Guehi still a possibility this month amid a defensive injury crisis.
For Bournemouth, they bring in the biggest sale in the Dorset club’s history.
There could be a further £1.5m more for the Cherries in bonuses if Semenyo proves to be a success at the Etihad, while the club will also get a ten per cent cut of any future sale.
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Attacker Semenyo, 26, bowed out in style by scoring an injury-time winner in Wednesday’s 3-2 Prem win over Spurs.
Cherries team-mate Alex Scott said: “It was unbelievable.
“What a guy, what a player but it was written in the stars wasn’t it?
“He’s a ridiculous player who pops up when we need him most and there were lots of hugs in the dressing room afterwards.
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“Antoine has been a massive player for the club, himself and his family, and we wish him all the best.”
Semenyo departs the south coast with 32 goals and 11 assists for Bournemouth since his move from Bristol City in January 2023.
After a quiet start he has gone on to become one of the most feared Premier League forwards, scoring eight, 11, and ten (and counting) times in the past three seasons.
With the unique ability to shoot well off either foot, Semenyo had a host of suitors this winter with a release clause which expired on Saturday, January 10.
City have beaten off interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, among others, and add Semenyo to an already packed frontline.
Upon his announcement, Semenyo said: “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.
“There are so many young players here who are going to be top, top players and I want to be a part of that and rewrite history again.”
“I’m so excited – I’m looking forward to meeting the boys and competing at the highest level and hopefully winning all four competitions. I’m looking forward to it, and I can’t wait for the challenge.”
City have made a worrying start to the year with the goals drying up – but maybe the arrival of Semenyo can help get them firing again.
And the former Bristol City man revealed he believes it is partly down to God answering his prayers and guiding him.
He added: “It starts in the mornings when I’m praying.
“Day and night I make sure I always pray; I make sure I’m always writing down things where I can improve and get better.
“Then just having the right people around me. Those three things are what has got me the success I’ve got today.
“I just need to keep them around me, keep improving, keep writing down and keep praying.
“Being two-footed makes it so difficult for defenders to mark me – it’s my God-given talent.”
“I feel very chaotic on the eye, just spontaneous and can do anything at any moment.
“I’ll be playing with a smile on my face, and I hope I do for the fans as well.
“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.”
On his fairy tale finish at Bournemouth, he finished: “Everything just aligned. I was quite emotional as well.”
City’s director of football Hugo Viana said: “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.”
