Manchester City have stolen a march on Tottenham Hotspur in the race to land Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, according to Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who has confessed that his club tried everything to beat the Cityzens during the transfer battle.
The 26-year-old Ghana international moved to the Etihad Stadium in a transfer worth £64m, a fee that underlines the growing reputation he forged on the south coast.
Semenyo’s rapid development under Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola turned him into one of the most coveted attackers in English football, and City acted decisively to secure his signature ahead of a host of domestic rivals.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been searching for greater variety in the final third since the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in 2024.
While Erling Haaland has continued to supply goals at an extraordinary rate, City have often appeared overly dependent on the Norwegian striker.
The arrival of Semenyo is intended to ease that burden and add a different set of qualities to an already formidable forward line.
Early signs suggest the investment may prove inspired. Semenyo has hit the ground running since swapping the south coast for Manchester, finding the net three times in his first two weeks at the club.
His blend of pace, power and direct running has immediately offered Guardiola new tactical options as City attempt to chase down Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League and maintain challenges in domestic and European competitions.
The move represented a personal triumph for Guardiola, who is believed to have been closely involved in the recruitment process.
City’s manager had tracked Semenyo for several seasons and viewed him as the ideal profile to refresh an attack that, at times, has lacked unpredictability. The player’s ability to operate across the front line fits neatly with Guardiola’s preference for versatile forwards capable of interchanging positions.
Semenyo was unable to feature in City’s recent Champions League fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray because of UEFA registration restrictions, a frustration for both player and club after such a high-profile arrival.
Supporters were therefore eager to see him return to domestic action, and he was restored to the starting XI for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In the build-up to that encounter, Frank was asked about Tottenham’s own pursuit of the forward and offered a candid assessment of how events unfolded.
“There’s no doubt, it was clear the club wanted to sign (Antoine) Semenyo, they did everything,” Frank said in a press conference on Friday.
“I think that’s a clear signal the Lewis family is very committed – a big signing, with finances and all that. That (Semenyo) is the quality of player we’re looking for.”
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The comments confirmed the extent of Spurs’ interest and the disappointment felt in north London at missing out on a player regarded as a potential cornerstone of their long-term rebuild.
Tottenham have struggled for consistency this season and viewed Semenyo as a figure capable of injecting dynamism into a forward unit that has too often relied on moments of individual brilliance.
Man City defensive reinforcement completes busy window
Semenyo was not the only piece of business concluded at the Etihad in January. City also moved to strengthen a defence that has been stretched by injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, both of whom were hurt in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 4 January.
England international Marc Guehi arrived from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £20m, providing much-needed depth for the second half of the campaign.
Guardiola is said to be delighted with the club’s work in the market, believing the twin signings address key vulnerabilities.
Guehi brings leadership and composure at the back, while Semenyo offers the attacking spark that City occasionally lacked during the autumn.
