Manchester City look set to welcome an addition to their squad early on in the January transfer window, as they close in on a deal for Antoine Semenyo.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal “is almost done” to bring the Ghana international to The Etihad from Premier League side Bournemouth, as Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his attacking options.
This means that Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause with the Cherries, is closing in on a move to Manchester City to fight for the title in the second half of the season.
Where Antoine Semenyo could fit in at Manchester City
With the likes of Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho already at the club, some supporters may already be wondering exactly where the Bournemouth star will fit in.
City have recently lined up in a 4-3-2-1 system with Foden and Cherki playing behind Haaland, with Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico Gonzalez in a midfield three.
Signing Semenyo, though, would provide Guardiola with the opportunity to abandon that formation and change to a 4-2-3-1, with Gonzalez and Reijnders behind an attacking midfield trio of Foden on the right, Cherki through the middle, and Semenyo on the left behind Haaland.
The Bournemouth star’s versatility means that he can play in numerous roles, as shown in the graphic above, but he has predominantly played on the left flank this season, producing nine goals and three assists, per Sofascore.
His powerful running, as evidenced in the goal against Liverpool above, could complement the slower and diminutive styles that Foden and Cherki bring to the attack, giving Haaland an attacker who can keep up with his pace and power on the break.
Whilst Semenyo could be a brilliant addition to Guardiola’s side in the coming days, City have been linked to another Premier League star who could be an even better signing.
The star who could be a better signing for Man City than Antoine Semenyo
City’s current focus is on getting a deal done for the Bournemouth star in the January transfer window, but they are also looking ahead to what they can do in the summer.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester City are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The report claims that the Cityzens want to snap him up on a free transfer to bolster their backline, as John Stones and Nathan Ake may be heading into the final throes of their respective spells at The Etihad.
Guehi could be an even better signing for City than Semenyo if they are able to win the race for his signature as a free agent next summer, because he has the quality to be a consistent performer at Premier League level.
Whilst Semenyo is an exciting signing, given that he has scored 20 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, the danger with signing attackers is there are no guarantees over consistency.
Marmoush, for example, scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in 17 Bundesliga games for Frankfurt before his move to City, per Sofascore, and he has produced one goal and one assist in 15 games for City this term.
Signing a Premier League-proven centre-back is a slightly safer bet, because defenders do not rely on having to produce big moments, with goals and assists, as they are judged more on the consistency of their overall performances week-in-week-out.
Marc Guehi (Premier League)
24/25
25/26
Appearances
34
17
Goals
3
2
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.6
2.7
Clearances per game
4.6
5.2
Duels won per game
4.9
5.5
Ground duel success rate
64%
62%
Aerial duel success rate
54%
69%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Guehi has been remarkably consistent defensively in the top-flight since the start of last season, averaging similar numbers across the board, whilst significantly improving in his aerial duels this term.
The England international, once described as a “monster” by journalist Bobby Manzi, has proven himself to be a dominant defender who can command a backline in the Premier League, as he also currently captains Palace.
Guehi would also only be 26 by the start of next season, a few months younger than Semenyo, who turns 26 this month, and this means that he would be a long-term signing for City, as well as a player who could hit the ground running.
The Palace and Bournemouth stars are both impressive Premier League performers who would be good additions in their own right, but Guehi is a consistent and reliable defender, rather than an attacker who relies on moments, which could make him a better signing for Guardiola.
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On top of the performance-based aspects, Guehi could also be a better signing for City because he would arrive at the club as a free transfer, rather than a £65m addition.
