Antoine Semenyo is set to join Manchester City and reportedly has a medical booked for Thursday, but Jamie Redknapp believes that the move may not progress as smoothly as expected
Jamie Redknapp believes that there could be a twist in Antoine Semenyo’s move to Manchester City(Image: Sky Sports)
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes that there could be a “twist” in the Antoine Semenyo transfer saga, despite reports that the Bournemouth star will undergo a medical at Manchester City on Thursday.
Semenyo, 26, has enjoyed a stunning campaign for Bournemouth, scoring 10 Premier League goals in 20 games, and has garnered significant interest from Europe’s elite clubs. Liverpool was one of the teams heavily linked with Semenyo, and it was revealed that he had a $87 million release clause.
City moved quickly and agreed to the asking price with Bournemouth, with a medical scheduled for Thursday. However, Redknapp claimed that the deal may not be completed, and has urged Liverpool to make a late attempt to sign the Ghana international.
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Semenyo has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs since 2023, but a breakout campaign accelerated interest. City agreed to pay the $87 million release clause shortly after the January transfer window opened, but the deal has yet to be finalized.
Despite a medical booked on Thursday, Semenyo played for Bournemouth on Wednesday night and scored a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham. While it appeared to be the dream parting gift on Semenyo’s 26th birthday, Redknapp is unsure whether he will join City.
“I’m not saying this is a Sky Sports breaking news moment, but all I’m saying is, I’ve heard tonight that it might not be the forgone conclusion that everyone’s talking about that he’s going to be having a medical at Man City,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports. “There might still be a little twist.”
Semenyo scored a late winner in a 3-2 victory against Tottenham on Wednesday(Image: 2026 Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth)
Redknapp then urged Liverpool to consider a late move, following uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future and injuries to several forward players. “I think Liverpool could still be in the equation,” he added.
“I’ve got to be honest… why they haven’t come in strongly, I’m surprised. If you look at that position, with Mohamed Salah and what happens to him, how long he’s going to be at the club for, we don’t quite know.
“But if you’ve got a player of that quality and he shows you he’s a match-winner, turns up in the big moments, why wouldn’t you be in for him?” While Redknapp claimed to be in the know, it appears inevitable that Semenyo will leave Bournemouth in the coming days.
Semenyo may have played his final game for Bournemouth(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Speaking after Wednesday’s 3-2 win, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola reflected on Semenyo’s decisive strike in the 95th minute. “That was a lovely [moment] for Antoine,” he said.
“Sometimes football gives you these things. He has been top, he has given everything and been committed until the end. I think it is good football gives him back this moment.
“There are still formalities [in his transfer]. I’m afraid to say because I don’t want to lose him, but that looks like it will be his last moments with us.”
Iraola continued to praise Semenyo, claiming he is one of the best players he’d coached during his career. “I am sure he will continue his development because he has improved every season with us,” Iraola added.