Semenyo completes £65m move to Manchester City ahead of World Cup
Antoine Semenyo has finalised a £65 million transfer to Manchester City in January 2026, following a standout season that included scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. The 26-year-old is set to represent Ghana at the World Cup.
Antoine Semenyo has completed a £65 million transfer from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January 2026. The 26-year-old winger arrives at the Premier League club after a pivotal role in Bournemouth’s recent domestic success, most notably scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
The move places Semenyo under the management of Pep Guardiola, who took note of the player’s performance during the 2025-26 season. Prior to the World Cup, Semenyo had recorded 11 goals and three assists for Manchester City, cementing his status as a key attacking option. His selection to represent Ghana at the World Cup marks the culmination of a career trajectory that began in the English lower leagues.
Semenyo’s path to the top tier was characterised by early setbacks and resilience. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, he underwent failed academy trials at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Millwall before an eight-week trial at Crystal Palace at age 15. By 16, he was disillusioned and ready to quit football, attending a trial session at Bisham Abbey primarily to gauge his fitness against other hopefuls.
It was at that session that David Hockaday, then managing Forest Green Rovers, identified potential in the teenager. Hockaday, who had previously worked with South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College, tracked down Semenyo’s family and offered support. Hockaday drove Semenyo to matches at 5am during his time at SGS College, instilling a sense of belief that Semenyo later acknowledged by sending Hockaday a bottle of Champagne labelled "hunger and belief" upon signing for Bournemouth.
Semenyo signed his first professional contract with Bristol City in January 2018 at age 18. His development was further shaped by loan spells at Bath City, where coach Jerry Gill moved him from striker to winger to build physical resilience, and Newport County. After a difficult period at Bristol City, mentorship from striker Nahki Wells under manager Nigel Pearson helped Semenyo establish himself. He joined Bournemouth in January 2023 for £10 million, making 110 appearances and scoring 32 goals before his high-profile move to Manchester City.
