Ghana head coach Otto Addo believes Man City transfer target Antoine Semenyo will make “the next step” in his career sooner rather than later.

The 25-year-old has a release clause in his contract which can be triggered in January, and Addo thinks it is inevitable that Semenyo will join a bigger club either next month or at the end of the season:

“He has done very well at Bournemouth, but with all the respect for Bournemouth and what they’re doing, surely it is natural for him to take the next step.”

“Whether it’s in the winter or summer, it is a difference question but it won’t make a difference for us. I’m looking forward to him showing more of what he can to the world.”

What are the details of Semenyo’s release clause?

It is believed that the Bournemouth forward can be signed for £65m (£60m upfront and £5m in performance-related add-ons) during the first two weeks of the January transfer window.

If a team doesn’t bite and pays the fee, the release clause will be reactivated next summer, when the price will be lowered to closer to £50m.

Man City will face competition for the player’s signature

Liverpool are regarded as the frontrunner for Semenyo at the moment for a couple of reasons. They may soon need a replacement for Mo Salah, who could be offloaded to a team in Saudi Arabia or the United States, and, secondly, their sporting director, Richard Hughes, was the one who signed him for Bournemouth in the first place.

Tottenham are also reportedly in the mix. Thomas Frank’s side were lining up a move for the Ghanaian international before he signed a new contract in the summer, and they may reignite their interest.

City, meanwhile, are said to be more interested in recruiting Semenyo at the end of the season, but they may be forced into bidding for him earlier than planned if rivals make their own moves.

Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here