Semenyo Transfer Interest Persists As Guardiola Remains Tight-Lipped Over Link To Manchester City

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Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have no updates on a possible move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, despite growing transfer talk. Reports say Semenyo has a £65m release clause active in January, but Guardiola insists City are not advancing anything yet and offered little new information.

Semenyo’s strong form for Bournemouth this season is driving much of the interest. In the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, only Erling Haaland, with 23 direct goal involvements, has contributed more than Semenyo’s 12, which come from nine goals and three assists for the Ghana international.

The 25-year-old plays a key role under Andoni Iraola and recently influenced Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Both Bournemouth goals came from long throws taken by Semenyo, underlining a different attacking threat that has added to the winger’s overall value this season.

After that match, Iraola faced questions about whether Semenyo had just played a final game for the Cherries. The Bournemouth manager rejected that idea and insisted that Semenyo would be involved against Arsenal on Saturday, stressing the player’s continued importance to the current squad.

Guardiola spoke before Manchester City’s New Year’s Day trip to Sunderland. When asked directly about Semenyo, Guardiola replied cautiously. "I have to be careful what I say," Guardiola said when asked about Semenyo's future. The City manager chose not to expand further on any potential negotiations.

Guardiola then repeated that there was nothing new to share on possible incoming transfers. "I don't know any news about anything right now. I'm sorry, I don't have any news. That is why I said yesterday before and the day of the gamethe transfer window is completely closed right now."

Manchester City enter the Sunderland match trying to close the gap in the Premier League title race. City sit five points behind leaders Arsenal, but a victory at the Stadium of Light would trim that deficit to two points and maintain pressure near the top of the table.

City also carry a strong recent record against Sunderland into this fixture. Manchester City have won their last seven Premier League matches against Sunderland since a 2-2 draw in April 2014. Their previous longest winning sequence against the Black Cats lasted nine games from December 2002 to December 2009.

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With Semenyo’s release clause, current goal record and influence at Bournemouth, along with City’s title push and clear public stance from Guardiola, the situation remains finely balanced. Interest from Manchester City is reported, but both Iraola’s comments and Guardiola’s words indicate no confirmed movement at this stage.