Pep Guardiola has spoken of his delight following the confirmation of Antoine Semenyo’s move to Manchester City on Friday.
Semenyo completed a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad Stadium shortly after ending his Bournemouth spell in dramatic fashion, scoring a stoppage-time winner against Tottenham on Wednesday.
That strike made him the sixth player to net a 90th-minute winning goal in their final Premier League appearance for a club, and the first to do so since Ross Barkley achieved the feat for Chelsea in 2022.
The Ghanaian forward has enjoyed an impressive league campaign, scoring 10 goals and registering three assists. Only two players have directly contributed to more goals this season, including his new City teammate Erling Haaland, who has 20 goals and four assists, and Igor Thiago.
Manchester City confirmed that Semenyo is eligible to feature in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash against Exeter City, as well as Tuesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United.
Guardiola welcomed the forward’s arrival, noting that Semenyo adds valuable depth and quality to City’s attacking options.
“Everybody knows the qualities [he has] – he was playing extraordinarily at Bournemouth in the last few years and can play both sides,” Guardiola said.
“He uses both feet unbelievably. He can play as a striker too, with his pace. He knows the Premier League; many clubs wanted him, but he decided to join us. All I can say is thank you to him, and we’re pleased for the next years.”
The City manager revealed that the club had monitored Semenyo for a long time and felt the timing was right to strengthen their wide areas.
“[For] a long time we’ve followed him. And in the end, the situation we have with the wingers, we have three specific players with Oscar [Bobb], Savinho and Jeremy [Doku], we need to reinforce for the next years, which is why the club made the gesture to take him.
“He’s the perfect age, the best years are to come, all the clubs try to bring in young players, but he will make his career and best years here.”
