Manchester City are nearing an agreement with Bournemouth to acquire Antoine Semenyo for £65 million, but Andoni Iraola maintains that the attacker has not played his final game for the Cherries.
Man City’s pursuit of the Ghana striker, 25, is in its final phases, with discussions over the last 48 hours focusing on completing the transaction’s smaller aspects.
They have consented to pay Semenyo’s £65 million release clause, and the player’s representatives were in Manchester on Monday to settle personal conditions. Discussions continued on Tuesday, with sources suggesting that overall agreement is nearing as the January transfer window opens on Thursday.
Semenyo, who played the entire 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Tuesday, is eager to have his future resolved by January 1.However, Iraola maintains that the attacker would compete against Arsenal on Saturday, January 3.
He is a crucial player for us and will continue to be so, according to the Bournemouth manager on BBC Match of the Day. It is not the final game he has played for us; definitely not. According to BBC Sport sources, Bournemouth wants him to play against Arsenal and Tottenham on Wednesday, January 7, before the release clause in his contract expires on January 10.
According to BBC Sport on Sunday, Liverpool still has an interest in Semenyo, but he is expected to join City unless the Premier League champions make a late offer.
Despite interest from five clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, City are the only ones to make official contact with Bournemouth. It’s like losing two or three players.
‘Although Semenyo gave up a penalty in the draw against Chelsea, he demonstrated what Bournemouth would miss if he departed by delivering two long throws into the box, which resulted in the visitors’ two goals. At the conclusion of the game, he praised the visiting supporters in what looked to be a farewell to them, with numerous of his colleagues coming over to embrace him.
Semenyo has nine goals and three assists for Bournemouth so far this season, and teammate David Brooks believes his absence would be a huge setback. “I’m not going to sit here and say that he doesn’t leave a void,” the Wales international told BBC Match of the Day. “He is our leading scorer and has been an excellent player for us for the past several years.
Everyone on our squad loves Ants, and if he wants to join someone else, we wish him the best since he deserves it.” Chris Sutton, a former Chelsea and Blackburn striker, remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Three and a half wonderful seasons as a Bournemouth player – the question is, how do you replace him?” How do you replace his numbers? A fantastic player who will receive the Bournemouth supporters’ best wishes. He has been an important player for them.
According to former Aston Villa and Manchester United attacker Dion Dublin, Semenyo’s departure would be more than just a player loss for Bournemouth. According to him, a manager may believe, “Bring the money in; I back myself as a coach,” which Iraola surely does. But Semenyo is such an important player that it’s like losing two or three players.
