As Manchester City are about to sign Antonie Semenyo, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola declares he does not want to lose his star player even though he acknowledged the growing speculation around his future.
Semenyo has been one of the standout performers for Bournemouth this season, developing into a key figure in Iraola’s energetic and attacking system.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs monitoring his situation closely.
Manchester City are now leading the race, with the player understood to have decided that a move to the Etihad Stadium represents the next step in his career.
The 25-year-old Ghana international has attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, all of whom have made enquiries regarding the release clause in his Bournemouth contract.
That clause, reportedly set at £65m, is due to become active in January, with indications that it will only be valid for a limited window at the start of the month. This has added urgency to negotiations and increased the sense that a deal could be concluded quickly once the transfer window opens.
Semenyo’s rise has been closely linked to Iraola’s arrival on the south coast. Since taking charge, the Bournemouth manager has placed trust in the forward, giving him the freedom to express himself and the responsibility of leading the line in high-intensity matches against top opposition.
The reward has been consistent performances, goals, and a growing reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous attackers outside the traditional elite.
Manchester City are about to sign Antonie Semenyo after he reportedly gave the green light to join the Sky Blues. Now, attention has turned to talks between the two clubs.
City’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Hugo Viana, are expected to discuss the structure of the deal with Bournemouth, including payment terms and possible add-ons.
While City are confident, Bournemouth remain determined not to be rushed, aware of the importance of the player to their season.
Iraola addresses the speculation
As rumours intensified earlier this week, Iraola was asked directly about the situation and whether Bournemouth were preparing for life without one of their most influential players.
The Spaniard struck a calm but honest tone, acknowledging the realities of the transfer market while making his personal stance clear.
“I understand that there is a lot of noise around Antoine. There are situations that we cannot control but right now, Antoine is our player and he’s going to continue playing for us,” Iraola said per City Xtra.
The Bournemouth manager did not hide his reluctance to lose Semenyo, especially midway through a demanding Premier League campaign.
His comments reflected both the challenge faced by clubs outside the traditional top six and the ambition Bournemouth have shown under his leadership.
“If you ask me, I don’t want to lose him (Semenyo), definitely don’t want to lose him. But like we always say, every time the market opens, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Bournemouth have worked hard to establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side, blending smart recruitment with a clear tactical identity. Losing a player of Semenyo’s quality would be a significant blow, not just in terms of goals and assists but also in terms of confidence and momentum.
However, the club are also realistic. Semenyo has earned the right to consider a move to one of Europe’s most successful teams, where the opportunity to compete for major trophies and play in the Champions League is a powerful attraction.
For Bournemouth, the challenge will be balancing financial sense with sporting ambition, should Manchester City decide to trigger the clause.
City’s pursuit and the wider picture
Meanwhile, Semenyo fits the profile of a player who can thrive under Pep Guardiola. His pace, strength and versatility across the forward line make him an attractive option as City look to maintain their dominance both domestically and in Europe.
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With a packed fixture schedule and the demands of competing on multiple fronts, adding depth and quality in attack is a priority.
City’s recent form underlines why they are such an appealing destination. They head into the next round of matches on a strong run, having recorded six consecutive wins in all competitions.
Their latest victory, a comfortable 3-0 success against West Ham, showcased both their attacking power and squad depth, with summer signing Tijjani Reijnders scoring his first goal at the Etihad Stadium and Erling Haaland once again finding the net twice.
Should the report that Manchester City are about to sign Antonie Semenyo becomes a reality, it would increase competition in the forward areas and offer Guardiola another tactical option.
For the player, it represents a chance to test himself at the very highest level, surrounded by world-class teammates and under one of the most respected coaches in the game.