Antoine Semenyo has sealed his £65million transfer to Man Metropolis, becoming a member of the membership on a five-and-a-half 12 months deal.
The Ghanaian worldwide, 26, was the Premier League’s most needed man after particulars of his launch clause emerged, and attracted curiosity from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United.
However he has now accomplished his long-awaited switch to Pep Guardiola’s facet, bolstering their attacking choices as they attempt to shut hole to Premier League pacesetters Arsenal.
He can even don the No 42 shirt for Metropolis, final worn by membership legend Yaya Toure.
‘I’m so proud to have joined Manchester Metropolis. I’ve watched Metropolis over the past decade below Pep Guardiola, and so they have been the dominant crew within the Premier League in addition to reaching wonderful issues within the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup,’ Semenyo mentioned.
‘They’ve set the best of requirements and it is a membership with world-class gamers, world-class amenities and one of many best managers ever in Pep. I’ve a lot scope for enchancment, so to be at this membership, at this stage of my profession, is ideal for me. It is an actual privilege to be right here.
Antoine Semenyo has signed for Man Metropolis from Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half 12 months deal
The Ghanaian worldwide mentioned shifting to Metropolis at this stage of his profession is ‘excellent for me’
The 26-year-old will don the No 42 shirt for Metropolis, final worn by membership legend Yaya Toure
‘My greatest soccer is but to come back, I’m certain of that. And Metropolis are in an ideal place – nonetheless concerned in 4 competitions. I actually really feel I may also help them have a powerful second half of the season.
‘The Etihad is my new house. I am unable to wait to play in entrance of the followers right here and I hope to point out everybody what I can do.’
Semenyo secured a fairytale ending with Bournemouth on Wednesday night, scoring the successful purpose within the Ninety fifth-minute to safe his facet’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham on the Vitality Stadium.
He arrived in Manchester after flying out of the south coast on a black non-public jet at round 7.18am on Thursday morning. Metropolis have agreed an preliminary charge of £62.5million with Bournemouth plus add-ons and sell-on proportion.
The ahead has shone for Bournemouth, scoring 10 objectives in 21 appearances this season after scoring 13 in 42 final marketing campaign.
He attracted curiosity from the Premier League’s largest golf equipment, together with Chelsea – who plotted a late swoop – and Liverpool. Man United had been additionally thought to have thought-about a transfer.
However Metropolis’s director of soccer Hugo Viana mentioned Semenyo ‘made it clear’ he solely needed a transfer to the Etihad.
‘His enthusiasm for this soccer membership has been clear all through this course of,’ Viana mentioned.
Semenyo may very well be seen penning his long-term contract in Metropolis colors after making the transfer
Semenyo bowed out of Bournemouth with a 94th-minute winner in opposition to Tottenham this week
Antoine Semenyo was seen arriving in Manchester on a black non-public jet on Thursday morning
‘He has big high quality. Two nice toes, tempo, energy, a behavior of influencing video games and, importantly, actual room for progress and growth. I’m excited to see the participant Antoine can change into within the weeks, months and years forward.
‘We’re always watching gamers everywhere in the world. Antoine was the one we most needed.
‘He has proven he can carry out within the Premier League. He’s humble, hard-working, skilled and completely targeted on being a greater footballer. He’s superb for us.’
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola mentioned Semenyo deserved his excellent ultimate bow with the membership he signed for in 2023 from Bristol Metropolis for round £10million.
‘It isn’t simple to do what he has achieved,’ Iraola mentioned. ‘Most gamers would have acted in another way.
‘He by no means discovered excuses. He was prepared to present what we wanted. We may hold him till the final second and it’s honest that he leaves with the sensation he has on the finish.
‘With the reception of the supporters, and all this. I’m very comfortable for him.’
In what was just about Semenyo’s final kick of the ball after two years in Bournemouth colors, he scored a purpose that ended a run of 11 video games and not using a win for the Cherries.
‘I’m very comfortable for him personally as a result of he deserves it,’ added Iraola. ‘A second he’ll always remember. But it surely’s true a giant miss, a participant you can not change. He’s an unbelievable participant.
‘I do not know the way they are going to use him however he’s a participant bettering each season with us and even earlier than, within the decrease divisions, stepping up and he is able to do it once more.’
Jamie Redknapp threw a weird spanner within the works on Sky Sports activities on Wednesday night time when he claimed Liverpool may ‘nonetheless be within the equation’ and prompt that Semenyo’s transfer to Metropolis was not a certainty.
‘I believe Liverpool may nonetheless be within the equation. I’ve bought to be sincere, why they have not are available as strongly (as Metropolis) I am shocked as a result of if you happen to take a look at that place with Mohamed Salah and what occurs with him and the way lengthy he’ll be on the membership for, we do not fairly know.
‘However in case you have a participant of that high quality (Semenyo)… he is confirmed he is a matchwinner, he turns up within the massive moments, why would not you be in for him?
‘I am not saying it is Sky Sports activities breaking information however I’ve heard tonight it won’t be the foregone conclusion that everybody’s speaking about him having a medical at Man Metropolis… there may nonetheless be a bit twist.’
In the meantime, Semenyo’s new team-mates suffered one other blow to their title hopes on Wednesday once they drew 1-1 with Brighton, a outcome that was Metropolis’s third attract a row.
