Manchester City face late Liverpool threat in Antoine Semenyo race – Hugo Viana handed squad size dilemma | OneFootball

Manchester City need to offload some players in January before they can sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, as per a new report.

The Blues have beaten domestic rivals Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to receive the go-ahead of the 25-year-old Ghana international to join forces with Pep Guardiola to compete for and win major trophies.

Semenyo has made his name as one of the Premier League’s best attackers in recent campaigns under Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, who has admitted that Bournemouth could be set to bid farewell to the London-born winger in January.

City need reinforcements in attack to sustain their aspirations for silverware as the season progresses, having entered the festive period in impressive fashion as they remain right on Arsenal’s heels at the top-end of the Premier League whilst being in the running to win the UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup.

However, there remain huge concerns over City’s over-reliance on Erling Haaland to consistently produce in front of goal and while the Norwegian is going above and beyond carrying his side on his shoulders, a potential injury to the marksman later in the season could effectively end City’s chances of silverware.

Guardiola has personally driven Manchester City’s interest in Semenyo, who has been attracted to the club’s project and the chance of working with Guardiola, who has also played down talk of ending his managerial tenure at the Etihad Stadium in 2026 – a year before his current contract expires.

City are not expected to make sweeping changes to their squad in January but Semenyo – should the club go on to close a deal with Bournemouth in the coming weeks – would represent a strong addition to a frontline that has been somewhat devoid of goals from out wide and midfield on a consistent basis this term.

Viana and co will be monitoring the January market for openings that could help the Blues plug loopholes in their current squad as Guardiola’s men look to test Arsenal all the way in the title and improve on last season’s disappointing Round of 16 exit from Europe.

As reported by Matt Law and Mike McGrath of Telegraph Sport, Manchester City need to offload players from their current roster in January should they want to bolster their frontline with the notable addition of Semenyo.

It has also been mentioned that Liverpool are not yet out of the running to sign Semenyo, having entered the race for the Ghanian at the eleventh hour after British record signing Alexander Isak suffered a major leg injury last weekend against Tottenham.

Oscar Bobb could be set to leave City in January amid interest from Borussia Dortmund, with the 22-year-old Norwegian reportedly assessing his future at the Etihad Stadium as his boyhood club close in on a deal for Semenyo.

City will also allow fourth-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno to leave next month, with Nathan Ake also considering an exit as he looks to improve his game time in the second half of the season to make a strong case for Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.