The Transfer DealSheet: Antoine Semenyo set to headline early January race | OneFootball

Antoine Semenyo is shaping up as the early headline act of the January window, with a £65 million release clause active in early January, according to NY Times, and elite clubs positioning for a move.

The clause was added to the July deal that runs to 2030, giving a clear exit route. He has eight goals and three assists in 17 matches this season.

The mechanism applies only to the first 10 days of January, a period Bournemouth hoped would pass so they could keep him until the end of 2025-26, when the fee drops. A buyer willing to loan him back for five months was preferred, but strong interest and his readiness to go made a swift switch likely as talks took place.

Manchester United and Tottenham explored deals last summer, City later joined the chase, and Arsenal and Liverpool also admired him. Tottenham returned with a highly competitive salary, which Semenyo declined, leaving City and United as frontrunners. Chelsea made a late enquiry, but City were identified as his chosen destination.

It would exceed previous offers of £50 million and £55 million. City are expected to move in the coming days to formalise matters, while Bournemouth will keep using him and plan for a possible exit.

Clubs value his pace and power on the break, two-footed dribbling and clean striking. He troubles set defences too, and only Erling Haaland has taken more non-penalty shots since the start of last season.

Source: NY Times