Semenyo notifies Manchester United of his preference to transfer to Manchester City! The reason behind the decision revealed, Amorin's promise proves ineffective.

Antoine Semenyo’s transfer battle has ended. As reported by David Ornstein of "The Athletic," Semenyo has told both Manchester United and Manchester City that he wants to move to Manchester City in the upcoming January transfer window. His ambition to secure silverware is the main factor behind his choice of Guardiola’s squad. Since 2018, Guardiola’s side has claimed six Premier League titles.

Currently, Manchester City has not reached any formal agreement since the winter window opens in a week. However, given that Semenyo’s £65 million release clause expires on January 10, an agreement between both parties is expected soon. Unless a major surprise occurs, Manchester United’s attempt to sign him will fail.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirmed Semenyo’s choice. "Manchester City has made progress to complete Semenyo’s deal in the coming days, accelerating negotiations over the past 12 hours. Semenyo has identified Manchester City as his next club despite Manchester United’s efforts. Chelsea and Tottenham have already withdrawn from the race. Manchester City is about to take an official step, and Manchester United has learned of his decision tonight from the player’s agent."

It is reported that Manchester United offered Semenyo a five-year contract with a weekly wage of £150,000, which is lower than Manchester City’s £175,000 offer. BBC’s Simon Stone stated that Manchester United did not offer an exceptionally high salary, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS management team is reluctant to break the new wage structure. Therefore, in the transfer battle, unless the player has a strong childhood affinity for the Red Devils, it is difficult to compete with clubs like Manchester City for top players.

Reports say Chelsea also joined the competition on Tuesday but decided to withdraw after learning of Semenyo’s preference. The 25-year-old Ghanaian winger admired Chelsea’s "Beast" Drogba as a child and once chose to wear his iconic number 11 jersey.

However, when choosing his next club, Semenyo was very objective and was not influenced by his childhood support for Arsenal or admiration for Drogba. Liverpool and Tottenham were also considered interested in the player, but in recent weeks, neither club appears to have intensified their efforts to sign him.

Manchester United has made every effort in the past one or two weeks to sign Semenyo but knows that January transfers are always particularly difficult. The club also emphasizes that it will only sign players eager to join the Red Devils. Therefore, the pursuit of Semenyo may be over.

Ornstein said Semenyo chose Manchester City not because of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation; Manchester United did not ask Semenyo to play as a left wing-back. The coach promised to adjust tactics if he joined, but that was not enough to convince him. Manchester United once hoped that the presence of Red Devils fans around Semenyo would influence his choice, but unfortunately, that did not happen.

Another transfer expert, Ben Jacobs, said: "Semenyo wants to join Manchester City, and this decision is known on all fronts. Manchester City needs to complete the formal transfer procedure after the winter window opens. Manchester United has been working hard in the past week, but Semenyo is attracted by Manchester City’s plan. Manchester City wants a winger who can score goals, and Semenyo wants to participate in European competitions every year and have a chance to win trophies."

Every team coached by Guardiola shares the same characteristic: strong wide players capable of beating opponents one-on-one and scoring double-digit goals. Although Doku has excellent dribbling skills, Guardiola clearly stated that his goal-scoring ability is insufficient. The team needs a player like Mahrez to avoid relying too heavily on Erling Haaland’s goals. Semenyo can play left, center, or right and has a good goal-scoring record. He is considered capable of enhancing Manchester City’s counter-attacking strength and boosting their title hopes against Arsenal.

Semenyo has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists in 16 Premier League matches this season, including scoring against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His contract with Bournemouth runs until 2030 but includes a release clause, forcing Bournemouth to reduce their £70 million asking price. However, the deal must be completed by a specific date, allowing Bournemouth enough time to find a replacement.

It is actually beneficial that Manchester United was rejected by Semenyo early, as the club can now focus on other promising transfer targets. Amorim may need a new midfielder more urgently.