Pep Guardiola gave a frosty response to a question about Manchester City target Antoine Semenyo during a press conference. The Spaniard was unwilling to field questions regarding the Bournemouth winger ahead of the January transfer window opening.
GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Semenyo wants to join City and that his £65 million release clause is set to be triggered in the coming days. The Cherries attacker was in demand and has turned down interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to make the move to the Etihad.
Guardiola usually dodges questions about transfer targets to show respect to their current team and that was the case on New Year’s Eve. He is preparing his side for their trip to Sunderland on New Year’s Day, and all focus is on moving back within two points of leaders Arsenal.
“I Have to be Careful” – Guardiola Takes Aim at Sky Sports
Guardiola spoke ahead of the game but once he was asked about Semenyo he took the opportunity to air frustrations with Sky Sports’ reporting. He responded:
“You are from Sky, right? Yeah, Good. I have to be careful what I say, because after that it’s completely the opposite what you write and what you put on the screens.”
Sky Sports’ latest article on Semenyo is a report claiming that City are close to a ‘full agreement with Bournemouth over forward’s £65 million release clause.’ A video of his presser was published on their website and the headline reads ‘Antoine Semenyo in… Oscar Bobb out?’
There’s no word on why Guardiola is upset with the broadcaster but he pointed out that clubs can’t do business just yet:
“The winter transfer window is completely closed right now. So, it’s Sunderland.”
The winter transfer window opens tomorrow (January 1st), and it seems City are moving quickly to sign Semenyo. His release clause is active for 10 days, giving the Cityzens until the 10th to try and secure his signature.
Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s in-form forwards this season, registering eight goals and three assists in 16 games. He has been with the Cherries since January 2023, when he arrived at the Vitality from Bristol City for £10 million.
While Guardiola remained tight-lipped about Semenyo’s expected move to City, he has spoken in the past about his admiration of the Ghanaian attacking ace. Just last month he was raving about the Bournemouth man when speaking to reporters:
“He’s an extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary player! His energy, his confidence, his movement — unbelievable. He doesn’t stop running, he attacks space so well, and when he has the ball, you feel something will happen.”
That was perhaps a hint of Guardiola’s intentions to bring Semenyo to the Etihad in January. There is speculation growing over the Spaniard’s future amid reports that he could bring an end of his nine-year reign at the end of the season.
Guardiola will want to ensure he leaves the Cityzens in a position to continue achieving the record-breaking success they have under his tutelage. If he were to leave it could mean Semenyo is his very last signing as the Sky Blues’ manager.
