Antoine Semenyo is poised to choose his next step today, with Manchester United and Manchester City running level and clear of the pack. Liverpool remain attentive as the forward market shifts after Alexander Isak’s injury, which could spark knock-on moves. From what I hear, both United and City have placed clear pathways on the table. City offer an immediate role while Jeremy Doku is sidelined. United pitch minutes, profile and a central role in their reboot. I like this move either way. Semenyo’s direct running, pressing and work-rate translate straight away. The decision will come down to guaranteed usage and project clarity.
According to Sky Sports, AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo will make a decision on his future today. Manchester United and Manchester City are leading the race, with Liverpool maintaining interest while assessing forward options as the market reacts to Alexander Isak’s injury at Newcastle United. City’s short-term need on the wing is heightened by Jeremy Doku’s absence, while United are pushing to add pace and power in the front line. Semenyo has been in strong form for Bournemouth this season, operating across the front three and thriving in high-press structures.
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo could make decision on his future today with situation acutely in balance; Man United & Man City are neck-and-neck and ahead of others in process. Liverpool remain interested and considering options in wake of Isak’s injury. [Sky]
@UtdXclusive
Impact Analysis
From a football standpoint, Semenyo is a plug-and-play profile for both United and City. He carries the ball with force, defends forward, and works the wide channel intelligently. At City, he would immediately cover for Jeremy Doku’s injury and slot into Pep’s winger rotation on the right or left, pressing high and attacking the half-space when full backs invert. The trade-off is competition. Minutes at City come with razor-thin margins, and adaptation demands instant tactical discipline. If he clears that bar, his off-ball intensity and willingness to attack the byline make him a useful squad accelerator in big games.
At United, the pitch is different but appealing. He adds a direct outlet to complement Garnacho and Hojlund, while offering the pressing bite United lack when chasing momentum. He would likely see more consistent starts at Old Trafford, which matters in a tournament-heavy run in. United’s staff want runners who can flip the field and turn second balls into chances. That is Semenyo’s wheelhouse.
Liverpool’s interest is smart due diligence as the market ripples from Isak’s injury. They value wide forwards who can press and carry through traffic. If a domino falls elsewhere, Liverpool could move. Fee-wise, expect Bournemouth to steer talks toward the £35m-£45m band with add-ons, reflecting a Premier League-proven, peak-age attacker under contract. For the buying club, this is not a vanity signing. It is an immediate impact piece.
Reaction
Fan sentiment is split right down the middle, and it mirrors the classic trophies vs. minutes debate. One camp claims City is the obvious choice: guaranteed title races, Champions League football and a gap to fill while Doku sits out. Comments like “he’ll choose City... straight into action now that Doku is out” sum it up. Others stress that United gives the spotlight, weekly scrutiny and a platform to become a headline name, not just a rotation piece. “With Utd, he gets world attention,” one reply argues, pointing at the club’s media gravity.
Some United supporters sound confident, pointing to a more aggressive summer approach and specific role planning. “We made sure the player will join us over others before contacting the selling club,” one fan boasted, implying the groundwork is far along. A more cynical thread pops up around wages and the idea that if he chooses a particular club, it is because the salary is exceptional. There’s also a resigned tone from a few neutrals who think City will simply close the deal. Finally, the betting crowd has joined the noise, reading injuries and short-term depth as signals that push Semenyo toward a quick City integration. The consensus: it is close, but the path he values most will decide it.
Social reactions
I hope Semenyo wasn't waiting to see the results from yesterday's game to make his decision.
Blood Red United (@BloodRedUnited)
What united FANS or fans i general fail to realize, is that when club have a bidding war for a player, the clubs lose and the player wins. Clubs are throwing cash in offering higher wages only for player to perform average because he knows he is getting paid anyway... Offer
Top Doğğ (@UTDRevolution)
I’d be very surprised if he chooses us instead of City. At City he has a chance to immediately win the PL even this season. At United he will play LWB & get hammered by the media every time we don’t win, so very often.
Szymon Sorówka (@SorowkaSzymon)
Prediction
I have been in dressing rooms where two elite options land on the table at once. The deciding factors are role clarity, minutes and trust. My read: City have nudged ahead in the last 24 hours because Doku’s absence creates immediate utility. Pep can hand Semenyo 20-25 meaningful minutes straight away, with starts in cup or rotation games. If talks progress, a structure around £40m plus achievable add-ons feels realistic, with a contract into the late 2020s.
United remain a live threat. They are selling a bigger role, a faster route to being a mainstay starter and the chance to become the face of their transition. If United match Bournemouth’s stance and offer assurances on usage on the right and as a central option in specific matches, they can flip this. The player’s camp will weigh whether a steadier 2,500-3,000 minute season at United beats 1,800-2,200 minutes at City with higher probability of medals.
Liverpool sit patient. If another move in the market reshapes prices or if they anticipate departures in the summer, they could step in late, but right now they look more opportunistic than aggressive. Timeline: decision today, green light to preferred club tonight, and medicals within 24-48 hours if the fee lands cleanly. Two scenarios feel most plausible: City win a tight race due to immediate minutes and trophies, or United edge it by promising a primary role from week one.
Latest today
- Manchester United accelerate January midfield plan after Bruno setback - Neves and Gallagh...
- Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen flagged for fatigue after relentless 2025 for club and country
- Dani Carvajal rushes rehab in Valdebebas - rival view says Supercopa return is unlikely
- Man United step up Spain scouting for a technical midfielder as January pivot away from Ug...
Conclusion
Strip away the noise and it comes down to fit. Semenyo is a modern Premier League forward who presses, runs at defenders and stays switched on without the ball. City can polish those tools and plug him straight into a machine designed to win in May. United can make him a weekly difference-maker and a leader of their attack’s next phase. I have seen careers swing on this call. The safer path is City’s platform, where your role might be narrower but your medal chances soar. The bolder path is United, where the responsibility is heavier and the spotlight unforgiving, but the ceiling for status is higher.
Bournemouth have handled his development well and will want proper value. No matter who closes, the buying club is getting a player on the up who will hit the ground running. My expectation: clarity by close of business today, paperwork fast-tracked, and a debut window that could open immediately after. However it breaks, this move feels built to happen because the need, profile and timing all align. For once, the market makes sense.
Blood Red United
I hope Semenyo wasn't waiting to see the results from yesterday's game to make his decision.
Top Doğğ
What united FANS or fans i general fail to realize, is that when club have a bidding war for a player, the clubs lose and the player wins. Clubs are throwing cash in offering higher wages only for player to perform average because he knows he is getting paid anyway... Offer
G-yung🤙
He might choose City
Fred
Utd 😎
Szymon Sorówka
I’d be very surprised if he chooses us instead of City. At City he has a chance to immediately win the PL even this season. At United he will play LWB & get hammered by the media every time we don’t win, so very often.
Alexis
today when ?
Ekene_xander
Who cares
Chuddy
Is this for real?
Sani
man city can offer him a chance to win the prem and the champions league meanwhile he’ll play at wingback at united also factoring in united’s ability to ruin talents. easy choice
Brahim Iarkani
Yes please 🔥♥️✍️
Jøker
I think he'll choose city thats an easy move. Straight into action now that Doku is out
ndr_ed🇩🇿🇧🇪🇲🇦
Si il vous choisi c'est que le salaire était très élevé
SHR
The only reason he might chose City if he sees that as an easy opportunity to win the PL and play UCL this season itself which I can understand. But there is a lot of competition in the City lineup. With Utd, he gets world attention, media will analyze him every week.
NoToKYC.COM
Betting on Semenyo's next move... 💸🚀
SimplyRedUtd
Obviously it’s united. Considering how you’ve done our business over the summer where we made sure the player will join us over others before contacting the selling club. Will be great addition considering the lack of offensive options on the bench against villa
Paul Mon 🇵🇹 🇮🇹 🇱🇮 🇸🇲 🇰🇿 🇸🇳
Sanaipei M
I'm optimistic about this
James
He’s going to city unfortunately 😪