Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declined to confirm or deny reports linking the club with a January move for Ghana international Antoine Semenyo, as speculation around the Bournemouth forward continues to gather pace.
Semenyo has been strongly linked with several Premier League clubs following his impressive form this season. Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea are all reported to have shown interest, with Tottenham said to have offered a lucrative salary package and Chelsea making a late approach.
Arsenal were also believed to be high on the player’s preference list, but their hesitation allowed other clubs to move ahead in the race. Liverpool were previously tipped as frontrunners before Manchester City emerged as a leading contender.
Bournemouth are preparing for renewed interest in the January transfer window after rejecting offers during the summer. The 25-year-old has a £65 million release clause in his contract, which is expected to come into effect in the winter, placing him at the centre of a potential bidding battle.
Asked about the transfer links following City’s 2–1 win over Nottingham Forest, Guardiola refused to engage with the speculation. When questioned about Semenyo during his post-match interview with TNT Sports, the City boss responded briefly with, “Next question.”
On the pitch, Semenyo has continued to enhance his reputation. He scored his 9th Premier League goal of the season in Bournemouth’s 4-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday and has also registered three assists. He now has 11 goal involvements in 16 league appearances this campaign, underlining his consistency and attacking threat.
