Manchester City have stepped up efforts to secure the signing of Antoine Semenyo, with the Bournemouth winger’s representatives expected in Manchester to iron out the framework of a potential contract as negotiations enter a crucial phase.
According to Sky Sports, City have opened direct discussions with Bournemouth over the forward’s release clause, understood to be £65m, as the Premier League champions look to move quickly once the January transfer window opens.
The clause is said to be valid only for a short period at the start of the month, placing pressure on all parties to conclude talks swiftly.
Semenyo, 25, has been one of the standout performers in Bournemouth’s campaign and has attracted attention across the top end of the Premier League.
City’s intent is to settle personal terms with the Ghana international before the new year, allowing them to activate the clause between 1 and 10 January, when it becomes available.
At present, City are the only club believed to have formally engaged Bournemouth on the terms of the buy-out figure.
That temporary exclusivity could prove decisive in a market where competition is intense but hesitation costly.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea have all previously monitored the player’s situation, yet none has advanced beyond preliminary enquiries, leaving the Etihad side in pole position.
The former Ghana defender John Paintsil has publicly backed the valuation being discussed.
“Semenyo is worth well over 40 million euros,” claims John Paintsil, reflecting the growing esteem in which the winger is held after his performances in England’s top flight.
The move would represent a significant step in Semenyo’s career, marking his first transfer at such a level of financial commitment.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for interest in one of their most influential players as they approach the midpoint of their season.
Their immediate focus remains on league matters, with a demanding fixture list that includes a clash against Chelsea as they contest their 19th Premier League match.
City’s strategy appears clear: move early, avoid a bidding war and secure a long-term solution on the flanks.
Semenyo’s camp is expected to hold talks in Manchester over salary, contract length and performance-related incentives, with the club eager to reach agreement before rival suitors can re-enter the race.
The timing is also significant. With the winter window opening on 1 January, clubs often struggle to complete complex deals in a compressed schedule.
By laying the groundwork in advance, City hope to remove obstacles and be ready to trigger the clause as soon as the calendar allows.
While Bournemouth have yet to comment publicly on the discussions, the existence of a defined release clause provides clarity in a market that can often become bogged down in protracted bargaining.
For City, the next few days could prove pivotal in determining whether Semenyo will become the first high-profile addition of the new year.
Should the talks proceed as planned, the Ghanaian could soon be presented with the opportunity to test himself in a squad accustomed to challenging for domestic and European honours, bringing one of the Premier League’s most in-form wide players to the Etihad at the height of his career.
