Man City handed Antoine Semenyo transfer update as Andoni Iraola makes Arsenal claim

Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause, continues to be linked with a transfer to Manchester City

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola says he expects to still have Antoine Semenyo in his squad for their next match despite rumours linking the forward with a transfer to Manchester City.

Semenyo’s future has been the subject of speculation over the last few months, with the rumours only intensifying in recent weeks.

City are widely reported as being the favourites to sign Semenyo, with the Ghana international having a £65million release clause in his contract, which will remain active for the first half of the January transfer window.

A host of other clubs have also been credited with an interest in signing Semenyo, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea also mentioned as potential destinations.

City are still being listed as the favourites to sign Semenyo, though, who was in action for Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

The forward starred for the Cherries in a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea, where he played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth’s next match is on January 3 (Saturday), which comes after the transfer window opens and there have been some claims that Semenyo could become a City player as soon as the New Year arrives.

However, Iraola states that he expects to have Semenyo available for their first match of 2026 against Asrenal on January 3rd, despite the ongoing Man City speculation.

"It’s not his last game here with us," Iraola told Sky Sports. "I cannot say a hundred per cent but I think he will play [vs Arsenal].

"He has to recover, we’ve played two difficult games in three days. We have Arsenal at home, we get ready for another one, a demanding game against the leaders.

"Definitely he’s going to be an important player for us."

Semenyo has scored eight goals for Bournemouth so far this season, all of which have come in the Premier League.

It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will be in the Cherries squad to face Arsenal at the weekend, or if a transfer agreement can be reached beforehand.