Premier League
Manchester City Announces Semenyo Signing From Bournemouth To Boost Title Hopes
Antoine Semenyo has arrived at Manchester City to push the club back into the Premier League title race.
The 26-year-old joined for £62.5m, moving from Bournemouth, who could receive up to £1.5m in add-ons and are entitled to 10% of any future profit. The transfer was confirmed on Friday, and Semenyo could make his City debut against Exeter in the FA Cup on Saturday.
City beat out competition from Liverpool and Manchester United to secure the deal.
“It’s going to be a challenge to get into the title race, but I’m ready, and I’m ready to be part of this journey,” said Semenyo, who has a five-and-a-half-year deal.
“It’s only just sinking in now, to be honest. I’ve had to work very hard to get to this point and I’m over the moon it’s done.”
Semenyo’s path to Champions League football has been winding. After loans at Bath and Newport, he blossomed with Bristol City and Bournemouth.
This season, he has 10 goals and 3 assists in 20 Premier League appearances and is known for his long throws.
“I’ve had to be a strong character,” Semenyo said.
“Emotionally and mentally, I’ve had to get really strong. I have my family, friends, and fiancée around me, keeping me uplifted and always pushing me.
”I’ve had to push myself quite a bit to get through a lot of hard times. It’s made me the man I am today, strong, fearless, and ready to attack the world.”
Semenyo will work under Pep Guardiola, who has secured 18 major trophies in almost a decade at the club. City, however, finished without silverware last season, a scenario they will not want to repeat. “You want to be winning those trophies and playing with the best players in the world,” Semenyo said.
Semenyo wrapped up three years at Bournemouth by scoring the decisive late goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 home win over Tottenham on his 26th birthday.
Bournemouth had signed him from Bristol City for £10m and is obliged to transfer 20% of any future profit from the sale to the Championship club.
