The race for one of the Premier League’s most coveted attackers is over. Antoine Semenyo has officially decided to join Manchester City, snubbing interest from Manchester United to team up with Pep Guardiola.
Transfer heavyweight Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Bournemouth winger has given the "green light" to a move to the Etihad Stadium, bringing an end to a frantic tug-of-war between the two Manchester giants.
According to reports, Semenyo’s decision was driven purely by sporting ambition. While Manchester United pushed hard—initiating direct talks and sending a delegation to London—the 25-year-old has opted for the "guarantee" of competing for major silverware immediately.
The ÂŁ65m Clause and the Deadline
City are now expected to trigger the player's ÂŁ65million release clause in the coming days. As previously reported, this clause comes with a strict time limit, valid only until January 10th.
This deadline forced Semenyo to make a swift decision during the festive period. Despite late interest from Chelsea and inquiries from Liverpool, the winger’s preference for City remained unshaken. Romano notes that City are now "progressing to complete the deal" rapidly to avoid any last-minute complications.
Why He Snubbed United
This rejection will sting at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim had identified Semenyo as a key target to add pace and power to his attack. However, sources close to the player suggest that United’s current transition phase could not compete with the allure of City’s established winning machine.
Semenyo reportedly felt that moving to the red half of Manchester carried more risk, whereas joining the reigning champions offers a clear pathway to the Premier League and Champions League titles he craves.
Guardiola’s New Weapon
For Pep Guardiola, Semenyo fills a void that has arguably been open since the departure of Julian Alvarez. The City boss has been searching for a direct, goal-scoring forward who can operate across the frontline and alleviate the burden on Erling Haaland.
Semenyo’s form this season—eight goals in 16 league games—suggests he is ready for the step up. His ability to drive at defenders and finish with both feet gives City a different dimension, especially with players like Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish often preferring to create rather than finish.
What Happens Next?
Expect this deal to move at lightning speed once the window opens on January 1st. City’s sporting director Hugo Viana is leading the finalisation of the paperwork, and a medical could be scheduled within the first week of the new year.
For Bournemouth, the focus now shifts to reinvesting the ÂŁ65m windfall before the window closes. For Manchester City, they have landed the first major blow of 2026.