Manchester City are planning a purchase that they believe could bring them closer to Arsenal in the fight for the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola narrowed the gap to four points on Saturday with a win against Leeds United, thanks to Phil Foden’s incredible goal in injury time that secured the 3-2 victory. – But Arsenal, who face Chelsea in an important game on Sunday afternoon, have been in a class of their own under Mikel Arteta this season and look set to win the league after finishing second three seasons in a row.
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City started their squad rebuilding around a year ago with the signings of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov, and then brought in Rayan Cherki, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and James Trafford. – But the club still feels the need to strengthen in the middle of the season, and The Times reports that City are considering a big purchase of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
Semenyo has developed into one of the most in-demand players in the Premier League, with a number of clubs keeping a close eye on the product of Bristol City’s youth academy.
Semenyo has six goals and three assists in twelve games this season, and City are considering triggering the agreed transfer fee of £65 million in his contract.
The club is yet to “fully committ” to the purchase, but some believe his arrival could be just what they need to compete with Arsenal and prevent them from running away with the league title.
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Semenyo is incredibly versatile and can play on both sides or in a central role, while also being skilled with both feet.
The 25-year-old poses a major goal threat and could ease the pressure on Erling Haaland, who has scored 14 of City’s 27 goals in the Premier League.
While Jeremy Doku has made big strides forward, fellow wingers Oscar Bobb and Savinho have failed to impress – the latter of whom has scored just once in fifteen appearances after being the subject of a £60m offer from Spurs this summer.
Marmoush has struggled for game time and is likely to be out for a significant period due to participation for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from December 21 to January 18.
Semenyo is a Ghanaian national team player, but his country did not qualify for the first time in 21 years, so he will be available to play.
