Manchester City have signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in a £64m deal.

 

 

 

The forward joins Pep Guardiola’s side on a five-and-a-half-year contract, taking City’s transfer spend in the last 12 months to £425.9m on 14 players.

 

 

The Ghana international, who will wear the No 42 shirt, said: “My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season.”

 

 

 

Guardiola confirmed Semenyo will be in the match-day squad for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Exeter.

 

 

City beat off competition from rivals Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham to sign the 26-year-old.

 

 

Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana revealed: “He [Semenyo] made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join. His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout this process.”

 

 

 

City agreed a deal with Bournemouth outside of Semenyo’s £65m release clause at £62.5m, plus performance-related bonuses worth £1.5m and a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

 

 

 

The guaranteed part of the release clause was £60m, but the fee Bournemouth will now receive is slightly more at £62.5m over 24-month instalments.