Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Antoine Semenyo, who will wear the No. 42 shirt previously associated with a club legend. The deal runs until 2031 and has been reported as a substantial January window capture, with figures around £65 million discussed publicly.

“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” Semenyo told the club’s official website following the announcement of a deal until 2031 thought to be worth in the region of £65 million ($87.2 million). “I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

“They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.

“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.

“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.

“The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”

Semenyo arrives having produced a memorable late winner for Bournemouth, striking a 95th-minute goal past Tottenham Hotspur’s Guglielmo Vicario with what proved to be his final touch in a Bournemouth shirt. The Ghana international had been wearing No. 24 on his back that night, but he explains the No. 42 carries a personal link.

“It was my first number at Bristol City when I first signed and that always stuck with me,” Semenyo explained. “It was either 42 or 24, and 24 wasn’t available so I went back to my first number. That was the inspiration behind it.” No player has worn No. 42 at City since Yaya Toure, who kept the number across eight seasons. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Glenn Whelan are also noted as brief previous holders of the digits at the club.

Reported fee totals vary. BBC Sport state the sum to be about £65 million while The Athletic report a guaranteed fee of £62.5 million plus £1.5 million in add-ons. The signing adds to a significant outlay by City, following heavy spending in both January 2025 and the preceding summer window, with major transfers completed largely before the Club World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank faced questions about more than the result after his side lost at Bournemouth. Photographers captured Frank walking in the away stadium holding a cup that, for reasons unclear, carried Arsenal branding. That image became a focus on social channels and was raised during Frank’s post-match media duties.

Frank, the former Brentford manager, rejected the premise and said he would not have taken the cup if he had realised what was on it. “Definitely not noticed it. I think it’s fair to say that we’re not winning every single football match so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal ,” he said. “Is there anyone thinking I’ve done that? All the staff has done it.

“They’ve been in the changing room, the game before us. It’s normal to take a cup, give me an espresso, I do that before every game. I think actually it’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question about that.

“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another logo of another club, of course I’ll never do that. That’s extremely stupid.”

The evening’s frustrations extended beyond the cup. Bournemouth secured a dramatic late winner and tensions spilled over with players and sections of the travelling support. Palhinha and Tottenham centre back Micky van de Ven were involved in altercations with Spurs’ supporters after the final whistle. Those who had paid to follow the Europa League holders were clearly frustrated by the performance.

Tottenham’s captain Cristian Romero addressed followers on Instagram in a post that took aim at those he suggested should be speaking up. “Apologies to all fans of you who follow us everywhere, who are always there and will continue to be,” Romero posted on Instagram. “We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that. I am the first.

“But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.

“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t—as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.

“We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football.

“All together, it will be easier.”

Romero later edited the post to remove the “to tell a few lies” line, drew attention from his 5.1 million followers, saw teammates Pedro Porro and Richarlison post support, and the message was subsequently deleted by the Argentine.

Antoine Semenyo has elected to join Manchester City, turning down approaches from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, a decision attributed to his wish to work under Pep Guardiola. Ironically, Arsenal were thought to be his preferred destination because of his childhood support, per The Athletic, but City emerged victorious in the race.

Reports note that there have been ‘zero doubts’ about the move since Christmas Eve. Guardiola’s reputation and record are presented as central to Semenyo’s choice. Across 15 full seasons in senior management, Guardiola has won the top flight 12 times. Manchester City’s 2024–25 campaign was widely derided as the worst of his career yet he still inspired a top-three finish and a run to the FA Cup final.

Questions remain over where Semenyo will fit into City’s forward group. The club’s most obvious first-choice frontline centres on Erling Haaland, most commonly flanked by Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki. Jérémy Doku is another potent option on the wing. Semenyo will also be competing with Savinho and Omar Marmoush, the latter returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

City’s squad issues have been more clearly identified at centre back, prompting reported interest in Marc Guéhi. Guardiola’s long-term position is also subject to speculation. His contract runs until the summer of 2027, yet there have been reports that City have prepared for his departure in six months, with multiple discussions held between the club and Enzo Maresca before he left Chelsea.

The structure of Semenyo’s release clause has influenced the timing of any move. Bournemouth set a £65 million trigger that had to be activated within the first 10 days of January, a mechanism that allowed the club time to seek replacements. Their first-choice target, Brennan Johnson, has already joined Crystal Palace.

Andoni Iraola has been clear about Semenyo’s availability during a busy spell of fixtures. “Antoine will play tomorrow, yes,” he declared. “I can give you my opinion, from my experience, but there is nothing signed with Antoine Semenyo.

“If you ask me personally, ‘what do you think?’ With all the noise, I think it could be the last game, but I cannot guarantee it. I understand the market, I understand the noise but right now there is nothing agreed, nothing signed, so for me he is our player and I hope he continues.

“But my understanding also, because I have been in the [transfer] market before with this club and others, there is a chance it is his last game also, yes.”