Antoine Semenyo Joins Manchester City As Guardiola Hails Signing Potential

Pep Guardiola welcomed Antoine Semenyo as Manchester City confirmed a five-and-a-half-year deal on Friday. The forward arrived from Bournemouth after scoring a stoppage-time winner against Tottenham on Wednesday,

and could feature immediately in domestic cups as City chase more trophies.

Semenyo left Bournemouth on a rare high note. The goal against Tottenham came in the 90th minute, sealed a dramatic victory, and made Semenyo the sixth player to score a winning goal that late in a final Premier League appearance for one club.

That late strike placed Semenyo in a small group. Previous players achieving the same feat include Clinton Morrison for Crystal Palace in 1998, Sulley Muntari for Sunderland in 2011, Mikel Arteta for Everton in 2011 and Ross Barkley for Chelsea in 2022.

Guardiola stressed how the new signing adds depth across Manchester City’s frontline, especially in wide roles. City currently depend on three main wingers, Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Jeremy Doku, and the coaching staff wanted another option to cover the coming years in all attacking positions.

Semenyo’s numbers this season underline that thinking. In the Premier League, Semenyo has scored 10 goals and supplied three assists. Only two players have been directly involved in more goals in the competition: Erling Haaland with 20 goals and four assists, and Igor Thiago with 16 goals and one assist.

City indicated that Semenyo is available for the FA Cup third-round tie against Exeter City on Saturday. Manchester City also expect Semenyo to be in contention for the EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United on Tuesday, as Guardiola rotates options during a busy schedule.

Everybody knows the qualities [he has]he was playing extraordinarily at Bournemouth in the last few years and can play both sides,said Guardiola ofSemenyo.

6 - Against Spurs on Wednesday, Antoine Semenyo became the sixth player to score a 90th minute winning goal on his final Premier League appearance for a club: Clinton Morrison for Crystal Palace (1998) Sulley Muntari for Sunderland (2011) Mikel Arteta for Everton (2011) Thierry https://t.co/KIJTDELYba pic.twitter.com/ElAEt6pLQhOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 9, 2026

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. All I can say is thank you to him, and we're pleased for the next years. [For] a long time weve followed him. And in the end, the situation we have with the wingers, we have three specific players with Oscar [Bobb], Savinho and Jeremy [Doku], we need to reinforce for the next years, which is why the club made the gesture to take him. He's the perfect age, the best years are to come, all the clubs try to bring in young players, but he will make his career and best years here.

Guardiola highlighted that Semenyo already understands the Premier League, which reduces adaptation risk. The manager also noted Semenyo’s ability to play on both wings and centrally, with strong pace and two-footed finishing, making Semenyo suitable for City’s flexible attacking structures.

City staff have monitored Semenyo for a long spell and see this moment as the right opportunity. With a long contract, proven league experience and peak years ahead, Semenyo is expected to contribute across competitions while Manchester City manage a demanding fixture list.