City fend off Premier League rivals to secure Ghanaian winger
Manchester City have officially completed the signing of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in what is, thus far, the biggest move of the 2026 January transfer window, bolstering their attacking options as the Premier League title race intensifies.
The Ghana international has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, keeping him at the club until at least mid-2031 as Pep Guardiola plots a second-half push in four competitions.
City have reportedly paid an initial fee of around £62.5 million (€72m), plus performance-related add-ons worth £1.5 million (€1.73m), after smashing their way past other suitors to secure the 26-year-old winger’s signature.
Semenyo, who has netted ten Premier League goals this season, will wear the No.42 shirt – the number donned by City legend Yaya Touré for many years – and hopes to make his debut in the FA Cup third-round fixture against Exeter City this weekend.
City’s rapid move is characteristic of how they manoeuvre in the transfer market under Guardiola, with Semenyo arriving as part of an extensive squad refresh that has seen the club spend more than €450 million on 14 signings over the last 12 months.
Welcome to City, @antoinesemenyo! 👋🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/cyDvCI3QCC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 9, 2026
A wide-ranging transfer battle turned City’s way
Semenyo’s transfer saga had been a key talking point throughout the January window. Manchester City didn’t have it all their own way: rival Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham registered serious interest in the Ghanaian forward, making his signature one of the most contested of the mid-season period.
Earlier in the window, Semenyo’s release clause – reported at roughly £65 million – drew attention from multiple camps, and pundits speculated on where he’d end up. Manchester United and Liverpool were particularly vocal contenders until City’s early and decisive approach put them ahead in the race.
🤑 After completing the signing of Antoine Semenyo, Pep Guardiola’s total spending at Manchester City has surpassed €2 billion pic.twitter.com/1avSUTkbqg
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) January 9, 2026
Semenyo’s arrival is expected to add pace, power and unpredictability to City’s wide play, complementing creative talents such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki. Guardiola’s attacking setup thrives on versatility and movement – traits that defined Semenyo’s Bournemouth career, where he scored key goals and combined physicality with technical prowess.
The winger will have plenty of competition, however. The likes of Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Savinho provide plenty of options for Guardiola on the flanks, meaning that Semenyo will have to earn his place in the starting line-up.
With City chasing Premier League glory, a deep Champions League run and domestic cup success, Semenyo’s integration into Guardiola’s system could prove decisive in the club’s quest for trophies this season.