Iraola is confident Semenyo will play for Bournemouth again despite talks with Man City

Manchester City we are about to sign an agreement Antoine Sémenyo from Bournemouth after agreeing to meet the striker’s £65million release clause, although Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola insists the Ghana international is yet to play his final match for the club.

Talks between the two sides have intensified over the past 48 hours, with negotiations now focused on resolving remaining details before the January transfer window opens on Thursday.

City agreed to trigger Semenyo’s clause and the player’s representatives were in Manchester on Monday to finalize personal terms.

Discussions continued on Tuesday, with sources suggesting a full deal is close. Semenyo, 25, wants to clarify his future before the start of the year, but Bournemouth are determined to keep him for at least their next two matches.

The winger played the entire game in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea and Iraola has made it clear he expects him to feature again, starting with Saturday’s game against Arsenal. “He’s a huge player for us and he’ll always be with us,” Iraola told BBC Match of the Day. “This is not the last game he plays for us, certainly not.”

Sources have revealed that Bournemouth want Semenyo to be available for the match against Arsenal and the following match against Tottenham on Wednesday January 7, before the release mechanism in his contract expires on January 10.

Although Liverpool remain interested, City are currently leading the race and are expected to complete the transfer unless the Premier League the champions intervene late.

Despite interest from several clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, City are the only team to have made formal contact with Bournemouth, putting them in pole position to secure Semenyo’s signature.