Manchester City could be poised to strike quickly in the January transfer window | OneFootball

Manchester City do appear to be in  need of a player who can come in and score goals from the wing position. Jeremy Doku has made the left wing his own this season, and Omar Marmoush looks to be a backup for Erling Haaland at this stage of the season. On the right wing, neither of Savinho nor Oscar Bobb has made the position their own. Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva have also played on the right but they tend to drift centrally when selected by Pep Guardiola. There is a strong case for City to sign a versatile attacking player who can make the right wing position his own and score goals.

On this front, Manchester City have once again been linked with a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. Originally, I couldn’t see where Semenyo would fit into the City squad. But Manchester City’s past three matches have shown where Semenyo would fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad and he would add exactly what City needed in the final third with his pace, power and goalscoring ability.

Manchester City are considering a January move for Antoine Semenyo.

Paul Joyce has reported for The Times that Manchester City are considering triggering the £65 million release clause in Antoine Semenyo’s contract. Furthermore, Joyce reports that City’s move for Semenyo could come as quickly as New Years Day when the January transfer window opens. Joyce adds that as of right now, City haven’t committed to making a move for Semenyo. But they could move quickly to sign the powerful winger in a bid to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Interestingly, Paul Joyce reports that Liverpool also have an interest in  signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. But after spending lavishly in the summer transfer market, it isn’t expected that Liverpool will be big players in the January transfer window. This may give City a clear run at signing Antoine Semenyo.

The case for City to move for Antoine Semenyo is becoming compelling.

The more you ponder the Manchester City squad, the more the case becomes compelling for City to move for Antoine Semenyo. City do need someone who can come in and score goals consistently alongside Erling Haaland. Omar Marmoush has had an injury interrupted season, and he will be off to the African Cup of Nations from December 21st to January 18. Marmoush is likely to depart for the tournament with Egypt around December 14 or 15. When Marmoush departs City will lack a consistent goal scorer outside of Haaland.

Neither of Oscar Bobb or Savinho at this stage of their careers have become a consistent goal threat. They are both young players still learning their craft. Jeremy Doku has improved out of sight this season and has added goals and assists to his game. Phil Foden is another player who can score goals for City as we saw against Leeds. Rayan Cherki is another and City do look to be an infinitely more dangerous team going forward when Cherki is on the pitch. Looking at all of the players who can help Haaland, City do seem to be one short. That is where Antoine Semenyo can come in.

Antoine Semenyo has blossomed as a player under Andoni Iraola. He has become one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League. His pace, power, and goalscoring ability would immediately improve City’s stocks. Semenyo is also capable of playing across the front three so he’d be a valuable weapon for Pep Guardiola to utilise if City did sign him.

Final thoughts.

Manchester City could do with a player like Antoine Semenyo. It does seem that they could be well placed to sign Semenyo given the release clause in his contract with Bournemouth. A City move for Semenyo makes sense as there is a definitive role for Semenyo to take in Pep Guardiola’s squad. It now remains to be seen if City do pursue a move for Antoine Semenyo but he could be a signing for City that adds more fire power to their squad for the second half of the season and beyond.