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’s stoppage-time winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday looked, according to Bournemouth’s manager, like a final curtain for the winger at the club.

Andoni Iraola indicated the goal could be Semenyo’s parting gift after reports that Manchester City have finalised terms to sign him. The Athletic report that Semenyo will now head for a medical with City, who have negotiated themselves a deal which does not require them to trigger his release clause of £65 million ($87.6 million).

According to the report a 24-month payment plan has been agreed which will see City pay a guaranteed £62.5 million and £1.5 million in bonuses, while a promise of 10% of the profit of any future sale could see Bournemouth earn more than his initial release clause in the long run.

“If that is to be his last involvement for Bournemouth there is no better way for it to go,” teammate Marcus Tavernier told Sky Sports. “That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.”

Iraola suggested the goal would be Semenyo’s parting gift, adding: “It’s not easy to do what he has done. Most players would have acted differently.

“He never found excuses. He was ready to give what we needed. We could keep him until the last second and it is fair that he leaves with the feeling he has at the end. With the reception of the supporters, and all this. I am very happy for him.”

City’s interest was reported as concrete towards the end of December and a move to the Etihad has been viewed as the most likely outcome, though suggestions of late interest from Liverpool have persisted. After the final whistle on Wednesday, Jamie Redknapp used his appearance on Sky Sports to further stoke the speculation with a claim of an 11th-hour approach from Liverpool.

“Everyone thinks it’s a foregone conclusion but I’m not so sure. I’m hearing Liverpool have come in,” Redknapp said. “I’m not saying it’s Sky Sports breaking news but I’ve heard tonight it might not be the foregone conclusion that everyone’s talking about, him having a medical at Man City … there might still be a little twist.”

Ultimately City have scheduled a medical for Semenyo, who is now heading up to Manchester to complete what will be among the most expensive deals of the January window.