Manchester City Seeks Resolution to Double Challenge Amidst Friendly Match Dispute: Report

2025-12-01
News

Manchester City has heavily depended on Erling Haaland this season and may seek to reduce the Norwegian's goalscoring pressure in January.

Bournemouth's attacker Semenyo reportedly has a £65 million release clause in his contract with the Cherries that becomes active in the first two weeks of the upcoming winter transfer window.

Manchester City may enter January transfer race for Antoine Semenyo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth after his sides 3-1 defeat with Erling Haaland and Head Coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images) — Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth after his side's 3-1 defeat with Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City (Image credit: Getty Images)

While Liverpool is reportedly hesitant to allocate additional resources for transfer spending in January after a significant summer investment, they can't be completely discounted as potential contenders for Semenyo's signature.

Richard Hughes, the current sporting director at Anfield, signed Semenyo from Bristol City to the Vitality Stadium in 2023 while holding a similar position at the south-coast club.

Acquiring Semenyo would, in theory, assist Manchester City in keeping up with league leaders Arsenal during the busy holiday schedule.

The Etihad side is expected to lose Egypt forward Omar Marmoush for up to five weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, Semenyo's addition would ensure Guardiola's forward options remain ample.

As reported by The Times, Manchester City is reluctant to allow Marmoush to join his national teammates on December 14, when Egypt is scheduled to play a warm-up friendly.

This is because Manchester City faces a Premier League match against Crystal Palace on that same day and would prefer to keep Marmoush for as long as possible ahead of the tournament.

The Gunners are not anticipated to lose any players to AFCON, while Manchester City will be without Marmoush (Egypt) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria).