Antoine Semenyo wants Man City transfer done 'rapidly' with date in mind

Manchester City are still being linked with a move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo during the January transfer window

Manchester City have been told why Antoine Semenyo wants to join the club as soon as the January transfer window opens. City have been heavily linked with signing the Bournemouth star ahead of the New Year.

Semenyo's future has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few months, with a host of clubs reportedly in the mix for his signature.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in signing Semenyo, but City have emerged as the frontrunners over the last few days.

Semenyo is widely reported to have a £65million release clause which will expire in the middle of the January transfer window.

BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel has explained why City are in pole position to sign Semenyo, and why the player is determined to move to the Etihad Stadium as quickly as possible.

"I think this one has got the potential to be the biggest, certainly financially, of the January transfer window," Mokbel said on Football Focus.

"There are two conditions that need to be met: a £65million release clause which needs to be triggered by January 10.

"At the moment, Manchester City are in pole position and every indication that we've had so far leading up to today has been that he will go there.

"Bournemouth are quite keen for him to stay until January 10, they've got games against Brentford, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.

"But my understanding is Semenyo wants this deal done rapidly and he wants to move to Manchester City, basically on January 1.

"So every indication we've got at the moment is that he'll be at the Etihad."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was asked about Semenyo's future after their 4-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday

"No, the more games Antoine can play for us, (the better)," Iraola said when asked if he would rather get an early deal for Semenyo in January.

"If he can play years for us, it's much better! If it cannot be years, it can be months. If he can only play weeks, it is weeks but the more time he plays with us, the better for us.

"Antoine's situation is quite clear. Antoine is a massive player for us and even in games like today where probably he hasn’t played well, he is always a threat to score and assist.

"Obviously I don't want to lose him. This is quite clear, but there are some situations that are not under my control. He will be available to play again in three days [versus Chelsea] and then the next one and I hope he plays a lot more with us."

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