Man City signs Semenyo from Bournemouth in reported $87M deal

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City signed Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on Friday to strengthen its attacking options ahead of the team’s tilt at the Premier League and Champions League titles.

Semenyo, who has scored 10 goals and been one of the best attackers in English soccer this season, has moved in a deal worth a reported 65 million pounds ($87 million) and on a 5 1/2-year deal.

He’ll provide competition to City’s stock of wingers that already includes Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Oscar Bobb, and could also be a back-up to Erling Haaland — the sole senior striker in the squad. Savinho and Bobb are currently injured, while Marmoush — currently at the Africa Cup of Nations — has been out of favor this season.

The 26-year-old Semenyo also was linked with Manchester United and Liverpool. He was at Bournemouth for 2 1/2 seasons after joining from second-tier Bristol City.

“I have so much scope for improvement,” Semenyo said in a City statement, “so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.

“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that.”

‘God-given talent’

Semenyo marked his final game for Bournemouth by scoring a stoppage-time winner from outside the area against Tottenham on Wednesday.

“Everything just aligned,” said the forward, whose two-footedness means he is a danger on either wing.

“It makes it so difficult for defenders to mark me – it’s my God-given talent,” Semenyo said in quotes provided by City. “I feel very chaotic on the eye, just spontaneous and can do anything at any moment.”

City manager Pep Guardiola has showed a willingness to play more on the counterattack this season in a switch of style and the club’s director of football, Hugo Viana, said Semenyo was an “ideal” signing.

“We are constantly watching players all over the world. Antoine was the one we most wanted,” Viana said. “He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and totally focused on being a better footballer.”

Guardiola added: “He was extraordinary at Bournemouth and can play both sides. He uses both feet unbelievably. He can play as a striker too, with his pace. He knows the Premier League. Many clubs wanted him but he decided to join us.”

City is second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal in its bid to regain the title after relinquishing it to Liverpool last season.

Guardiola’s team is fourth in the 36-club Champions League standings with two rounds of matches remaining in the league phase. The top eight qualify automatically for the round of 16.

Semenyo has never played in the Champions League. He could make his debut for City against Exeter in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday — Guardiola said Semenyo will be in the squad — and is eligible to play in the English League Cup semifinals, with City playing the first leg at Newcastle on Tuesday.

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