MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Manchester City on Friday signed Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth to strengthen the team’s attacking options as they bid to win the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Semenyo, who has scored 10 goals and is one of the best attackers in English football this season, joins on a five-and-a-half year deal worth an estimated £65 million (about $87 million).
He will give City’s winger squad, which already includes Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmouche, Sabinho and Oscar Bobb, a competitive edge. Sabinho and Bob are currently injured, while Marmouche, who is currently playing in the African Cup of Nations, has not played this season.
Semenyo, 26, has also been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool. After joining from second-tier Bristol City, he spent two and a half seasons at Bournemouth.
Semenyo said in City’s statement: “I have a lot of room for improvement. Being at this club at this stage of my career is perfect for me. It’s a real honor to be here.”
“My best football is yet to come, I’m sure of that.”
“God-given talent”
Semenyo made his mark Bournemouth final match He scored the winning goal from outside the box in stoppage time against Tottenham on Wednesday.
“Everything is in place,” said the forward, whose bipedalism means he is dangerous on either wing.
“It’s very difficult for defenders to mark me. This is my God-given talent,” Semenyo said in a quote provided by City. “It looks very chaotic, but it’s just spontaneous and you can do anything at any time.”
City manager Josep Guardiola has shown a desire to change his style and play more on the counterattack this season, and the club’s director of football Hugo Viana said Semenho was an “ideal” signing.
“We always look at players around the world, and Antoine is the player we wanted the most,” Viana said. “He has proven he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and committed to becoming a better footballer.”
City are second in the Premier League, with a six-point difference over Arsenal, who lost the title to Liverpool last season, and are aiming to regain the title.
Guardiola’s team are in fourth place in the 36-club Champions League with two rounds left in the league. The top eight will automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
Semenyo has never played in the Champions League. The player could make his City debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Exeter and is eligible for the English League Cup semi-final, with City facing Newcastle in the first leg on Tuesday.
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