Sports
Jamie Redknapp Drops Antoine Semenyo to Liverpool Bombshell on Live TV
Antoine Semenyo’s move to Manchester City could be at risk of collapsing judging by Jamie Redknapp’s astonishing claim. The Bournemouth attacker had looked to have been on the brink of a switch to the Etihad.
GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier today (January 7th) that City had triggered the Cherries man’s £65 million release clause. He was set to sign a long-term deal and undergo a medical on Thursday.
Semenyo had a pick of five Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, but opted for City and seemed to have finished his spell at the Vitality in fairytale fashion. He bagged a 90+5th-minute winner in a 3-2 comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Redknapp: Semenyo City Move ‘Isn’t Foregone Conclusion’
Semenyo’s last-gasp goal against Tottenham took his tally to 10 goals in 20 league games. It’s why City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs were all chasing his signature, especially at a reasonable fee.
There might be a twist in the tale, though, as Redknapp has suggested that Semenyo’s Etihad move isn’t guaranteed. He indicated that his former club were still at the table while speaking on Sky Sports:
“I think Liverpool could still be in the equation. I’ve got to be honest, if they did come in, I think why haven’t they perhaps come in strongly? I’m surprised because if you look at that position with Mohamed Salah, what happens to him and 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 matchwinner, he turns up in the big moments, why wouldn’t you be in for him?”
Redknapp teased a possible twist:
“So I’m not saying it’s a Sky Sports News breaking news moment, but all I’m saying is I’ve heard tonight that it might not be the foregone conclusion that everybody’s talking about and he’s going to be having a medical at Man City. There might still be a little twist.”
Liverpool were linked with Semenyo shortly after Mohamed Salah went public with his issues over being dropped by Arne Slot. The Egyptian forward has since been reinstated into the defending champions’ squad, but his future is still up in the air.
The Merseyside giants splashed the cash in the summer, breaking the British transfer record twice. If they were to make a late play for Semenyo, then it might mean they have offered more money for the Ghana international.
Iraola Suggests Semenyo Played His Last Bournemouth Game
Semenyo appears to have played his last game for Bournemouth, even if he doesn’t become a City player tomorrow. His Cherries boss, Andoni Iraola, spoke after the win over Tottenham and called it a “fairytale ending”.
The Spaniard said (via Fabrizio Romano):
“He deserved this moment, it’s a fairytale ending. It’s not easy to do what he has done, because most of the players would have done differently.”
Semenyo has been at the Vitality since January 2023, when he arrived from Bristol City in a £10 million deal. He’s made 110 appearances, scoring 32 goals and providing 13 assists.
If the Ghanaian joins Manchester City, his first game could come against Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Pep Guardiola will be for the in-form forward to continue his excellent campaign, having seen his side drop points in the title race against Sunderland (0-0) and Brighton (1-1).
