Manchester City have completed the signing of Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in a deal valued at around £65 million, making it the biggest transfer fee ever received by the south coast club.
City triggered Semenyo’s release clause ahead of its deadline, agreeing to pay £62.5m in instalments spread over two years, with additional performance-related bonuses included.
The 26-year-old has committed his future to the Premier League champions by signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2031.
Semenyo, who will wear the number 42 shirt at the Etihad Stadium, said the move represents the perfect step in his career and believes his strongest performances are still ahead of him.
The London-born winger arrives after an impressive spell at Bournemouth, capped by a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Tottenham earlier this week in what proved to be his final appearance for the club.
His form this season has placed him among the league’s most productive attackers, with 10 goals from 20 league matches, trailing only Erling Haaland and Brentford striker Igor Thiago in the scoring charts.
Manchester City fended off competition from several Premier League rivals, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, to secure his signature.
Club officials highlighted Semenyo’s pace, physicality, pressing ability and scope for further development as key reasons behind the move.
Bournemouth signed Semenyo from Bristol City for roughly £10m in January 2023, and his rise since then has been rapid.
Across all competitions, he leaves the Cherries with 32 goals and 13 assists from 110 appearances, having signed a long-term contract extension only last summer.
Semenyo’s journey to the top flight included spells in the Championship and loan periods at Sunderland, Newport County and Bath City, where he steadily developed into a Premier League-level attacker.
His ability to win possession high up the pitch has been particularly notable, with league data showing he has recovered the ball in the final third more often than any other player since the start of last season.
For Manchester City, the signing adds another versatile attacking option to Pep Guardiola’s squad as they continue their push for domestic and European success.
For Bournemouth, while the loss will be keenly felt, the deal represents a landmark moment in the club’s transfer history.
