Andoni Iraola says Antoine Semenyo has 'definitely not' played his last game for Bournemouth despite Manchester City links

Andoni Iraola insists that Antoine Semenyo has "definitely not" played his last game for Bournemouth despite reports linking him with a move to Manchester City. The Ghana international joined The Cherries from Bristol City in January 2023 and has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water, producing nine goals and three assists in 18 Premier League appearances this term.

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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola insists that Antoine Semenyo has not played his last game for the club amid speculation that the forward will join Manchester City in January.

Semenyo, who has produced nine goals and three assists in 18 Premier League appearances this term, has been linked with a £65 million move to Pep Guardiola’s side when the transfer window opens on Thursday.

He had a key role as The Cherries drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Tuesday evening, conceding a penalty but playing a role in both of his side’s goals.

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Iraola was adamant that Semenyo will be available for Bournemouth’s clash with Arsenal at The Vitality Stadium on January 3, despite reports linking the Ghana star with a move away.

"He is a massive player for us, and he will still be with us," he told BBC Match of the Day.

"It is not the last game he has played for us, definitely not."

The 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge leaves Bournemouth in 15th place in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

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Semenyo joined the club from Bristol City in January 2023 and finished the 2024/25 campaign with 11 goals and five assists in the Premier League, helping his side to a ninth-place finish.

Bournemouth have a busy January ahead of them, with five crucial Premier League fixtures and a clash with Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup.

Iraola may be optimistic about the chances of Semenyo making another appearance for the club, but Wales international David Brooks admits that the 25-year-old’s departure will leave a hole in the team.

"I'm not going to sit here and say he doesn't leave a hole," Brooks told BBC Match of the Day.

"He's our top scorer, and he's been a very, very good player for us over the past couple of years.

"Everyone loves Ants in our team, and if he's going to join someone else, we wish him all the best; he's earned it."

Bournemouth have seen several of their biggest stars leave The Vitality Stadium since their ninth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Dean Huijsen left English football to join Spanish giants Real Madrid, while defending Premier League champions Liverpool signed left-back Milos Kerkez.

Their outgoings did not end there, though.

They also sold Jaidon Anthony to Burnley, Illia Zabarnyi to UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Dango Ouattara to Premier League rivals Brentford.

Joe Rothwell, Mark Travers, and Philip Billing, among others, also left during a transitional few months for the club.

If Semenyo does join City, he will arrive at a crucial stage of the season.

They are second in the Premier League table ahead of a trip to The Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Thursday, five points behind leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners extended their advantage at the top of the pile with an emphatic 4-1 win against high-flying Aston Villa on Tuesday.

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