Pep Guardiola reveals when Antoine Semenyo will make Manchester City debut | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reflected on the club’s £64 million signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

City confirmed the 26-year-old’s signing on a five-and-a-year contract on Friday morning that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium till the summer of 2031.

The Blues are short of options in the final third, with Oscar Bobb injured and Omar Marmoush away at the Africa Cup of Nations, as City remain in the running for silverware on multiple fronts.

Guardiola’s side are yet to earn their first win of 2026 after three consecutive draws to Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton in the last 10 days.

The Manchester City manager is understood to have personally led the Blues’ pursuit of Semenyo, who has established himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Exeter City, Guardiola said: “He played extraordinary in Bournemouth in the last years. He can play on both sides, right and left, uses both legs unbelievably.

“And at striker as well, he can play with his pace. He knows the Premier League, many clubs wanted him and he decided to join us – so only I can say is thanks to him! Really pleased for the next years!”

Guardiola went on to confirm that Semenyo will be in the matchday squad this weekend, insisting that there is a dearth of attacking options at his disposal, admitting that the Ghanian has been on City’s radar for a ‘a few years’ and ‘a long time’.

“I don’t know if he will start or not but he will be selected for sure (against Exeter City),” Guardiola added. “We don’t have too many players. He will adapt quick because the group is exceptional. The club is really good, and he will adapt quick.

“For the situation we have up front in the wingers – we have three specific players like Oscar (Bobb), Savio and Jeremy (Doku) – we needed to reinforce for the next years and that’s why the club made the gesture, the effort to take Antoine (Semenyo). A perfect age at 26 years old, the best years to come.”

Guardiola is likely to shuffle his pack this weekend in the backdrop of a series of disappointing results that have clouded doubt over Manchester City’s title prospects as they compete with a formidable Arsenal side.

Semenyo is expected to get his first Manchester City minutes in the locker this weekend, with the Blues facing a trip to Newcastle next week for the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.