Pep Guardiola holds personal admiration for £60 million Premier League attacker – Liverpool also interested | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds a personal admiration for one of the Premier League’s standout attackers ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

With recent months highlighting some frustration around City’s goal output from midfield, combined with an increased reliance on Erling Haaland, the club’s recruitment team have intensified their search for players capable of adding goals from wide positions.

It is within that context that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has moved steadily up Manchester City’s list of viable January options, according to recent reports. His progression on the south coast has coincided with City’s own adjustments following big-name departures in recent markets, and the fluctuating roles of players such as Jeremy Doku and Savinho.

Antoine Semenyo’s profile of power, directness, and work-rate has caught the attention of other top clubs including Liverpool, whose scouting department has maintained interest in the 25-year-old. Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain braced for a challenging January, especially as Semenyo’s contract includes a release clause of around £60 million.

According to the information of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, and is said to be concerned about the lack of goal-scoring midfielder in his squad and the over-reliance on Erling Haaland.

While the £60 million clause creates a clearer path to negotiation, City have historically avoided rushed mid-season spending unless the fit is deemed perfect, although Guardiola’s internal push could influence that thinking.

Liverpool’s continued presence in the race makes the situation more delicate and should Arne Slot’s side choose to act quickly, City may find themselves needing to make an uncharacteristically early decision in the window.

Conversely, Bournemouth may prefer bids to materialise later in January when the clause is no longer active, giving them more control over negotiations. For now, City are expected to maintain a close eye on the situation, while much will depend on form, squad fitness, and whether Pep Guardiola’s concerns escalate over the festive fixture run.