Manchester City have completed the signing of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo, bringing the Bournemouth forward to the Etihad Stadium in a deal valued at around £65 million.
The move represents the largest transfer fee Bournemouth have ever received. City triggered Semenyo’s release clause ahead of its deadline, agreeing to pay £62.5 million in 24 monthly instalments, with additional performance-related bonuses included.
Semenyo has committed his future to the Premier League champions with a contract running until 2031. He will wear the number 42 shirt, a number previously associated with club legend Yaya Toure, who won three league titles during his time in Manchester.
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” 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 [Guardiola].
“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.”
The 26-year-old arrives in Manchester on the back of a memorable farewell at Bournemouth. The London-born winger scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham, his final appearance for the south coast club.
City fought off strong competition to secure his signature, beating Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea to the deal.
“Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club. He made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join,” director of football Hugo Viana said in a BBC report.
“He has huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games and, importantly, real room for growth and development.
“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.”
Semenyo has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season. He scored four goals in his final six matches for Bournemouth and sits third in the league’s scoring charts with 10 goals from 20 appearances, trailing only new team-mate Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
One more league goal would have matched his best-ever top-flight return. He scored 11 goals from 36 Premier League starts last season.
Bournemouth signed Semenyo from Bristol City for around £10 million in January 2023. He departs having recorded 32 goals and 13 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions.
His rise began in the Championship, where he produced 21 goals and 21 assists in 125 matches for Bristol City. Along the way, he gained experience through loan spells at Sunderland, Newport County and non-league Bath City.
After initially joining Bournemouth on a four-and-a-half-year contract, Semenyo signed an extension last summer that was due to run until 2030. City’s move brings that chapter to a close and opens a new one at the Etihad.
