Will Semenyo Become the Record Signing in the 2026 Winter Transfer Window's "Extreme Cold"?

By Han Bing The "extreme cold" of the 2026 winter transfer window in the top five European leagues is largely reflected in the record signing. With a £60 million (approximately €69 million) base fee plus a £5 million performance-related add-on, Bournemouth winger Semenyo is expected to be the winter’s most expensive transfer. The last time a European winter signing was under €70 million was in early 2024, when PSG bought Gonzalo Ramos from Benfica, often dubbed a “European bargain,” for €65 million. The last Premier League winter record signing from a smaller club was Virgil van Dijk, who moved from Southampton to Liverpool eight years ago for £84.65 million.

It’s striking that even a winger from a mid-sized club like Semenyo has attracted interest from the five English giants: Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Due to the scarcity of available top players, he was able to “shop around.” After turning down Tottenham’s offer, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United also stepped back, leading him to prioritize talks with Manchester City for the sake of winning trophies. This shortage of elite players in the five major leagues’ winter market is quite telling.

At the peak of his career, Semenyo has delivered his best stats this season. Although he creates fewer chances per 90 minutes than Cherki and Doku, and his dribbling success rate among Manchester City’s existing wingers is only better than Savinho, considering the team’s setup, his performance could improve significantly once he joins City.

What also attracts Guardiola is Semenyo’s finishing ability. His nine Premier League goals surpass those of Doku, Savinho, Foden, and Malmoush, making him the ideal winter signing for Guardiola, who is eager to reduce reliance on Haaland.

Semenyo is technically proficient with both feet and keen to shoot. So far this season, only Salah (Liverpool) and Palmer (Chelsea) have taken more shots than him. His 69 successful dribbles rank third highest in the Premier League. Semenyo’s strength lies in his willingness to drive forward, take on opponents, and shoot, unlike Doku who hesitates in front of goal. With City facing serious shortages—Bob and Doku are absent—the team urgently needs a winger who can slot in immediately.

Before rumors linked Semenyo to Manchester City, Guardiola had already praised the Ghanaian winger lavishly: “His energy, confidence, and movement are incredible. He runs tirelessly and knows how to exploit space. He improves every game, always full of fighting spirit and fearless. Players like him make this league special.” This season, City’s preference for quick counterattacks suits Semenyo’s strengths perfectly. His speed, excellent ball control, and ambidextrous shooting style fit well with City’s system, potentially making their attack more dynamic and versatile.

Born in London to a Ghanaian father and a French mother, Semenyo was influenced by his well-known footballer father from a young age. However, his football journey was challenging. He failed trials at Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham, and Millwall multiple times as a child. At 15, after an eight-month trial at Crystal Palace, he was still rejected, nearly prompting him to quit football. After many hurdles, Bournemouth signed him for £9 million in summer 2023 and have since extended his contract twice, now running until summer 2029. Originally, Bournemouth valued Semenyo at £75 million, but considering his personal wishes and release clauses, the club knows it will be hard to keep this winger who might set a club record for transfer income.

Semenyo’s success owes much to his eagerness to learn. He hired a personal analyst and receives dedicated video analysis after every match. This helps him continuously improve his dribbling, shooting, positioning, and game understanding. He also knows how to manage his mindset—before matches, he talks with a familiar pastor near Bournemouth’s home ground to ease nerves, and afterward, he often spends three to four hours with some teammates at a nearby café to relax. These small gatherings also boost team chemistry.

Compared to previous high-profile winter record signings, Semenyo seems more modest. However, in this equally subdued winter window, Bournemouth understands this is the best chance to sell him for a high price. Over two and a half years, Semenyo’s value has increased at least sixfold, possibly sevenfold including add-ons.