Iraola braces for Semenyo's City switch after Spurs clash
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expects Antoine Semenyo to play his final match for the club against Tottenham before completing a move to Manchester City.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has all but confirmed star forward Antoine Semenyo is heading to Manchester City, with Wednesday’s clash against Tottenham likely to be his final appearance for the Cherries.
Reading the tea leaves
Iraola didn’t mince his words when asked about Semenyo’s future at his pre-match press conference. While nothing’s officially signed yet, the Spanish gaffer’s tone suggested it’s only a matter of time before the Ghana international is donning sky blue.
“I think it will be his last match,” Iraola admitted with the resignation of a manager who’s seen this movie before.
The loss will be a proper kick in the teeth for Bournemouth, with Semenyo having netted nine goals already this season. He’s been absolutely crucial to their campaign, providing the cutting edge that’s helped the south coast side punch above their weight.
The financials
Semenyo’s deal includes a release clause worth a whopping £65 million (€72m) that expires this Friday. The timing of the clause isn’t accidental - it’s designed to give Bournemouth sufficient time to secure a replacement during the January window rather than leaving them high and dry.
The forward will reportedly undergo his medical with City after Wednesday’s match against Spurs. Barring any unexpected hiccups, he’ll soon be working under Pep Guardiola - apparently his preferred destination all along.
Another talent exodus
This isn’t Iraola’s first rodeo when it comes to losing key players. Last summer saw a proper exodus with Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Ilya Zabarnyi and Dango Ouattara all heading for the exit door.
The Spanish tactician has done remarkable work keeping Bournemouth competitive despite these departures, but losing your nine-goal striker mid-season is enough to give any manager the right hump.
City’s gain is definitely Bournemouth’s loss, and Iraola now faces the challenging task of finding someone who can fill Semenyo’s boots before the transfer window slams shut.