Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku is still searching for consistency in his play at the top end of the pitch, in what is now his third season at The Etihad.
The Belgium international's brilliant goal against Liverpool in November remains his only Premier League strike of the season, in 15 appearances, and he has only scored three goals in all competitions, per Sofascore.
Doku has delivered three goals and five assists in 22 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore, after a return of six goals and nine assists in 38 matches last season, which shows that there is room for improvement.
Manchester City in talks to sign Premier League forward
Instead of waiting for the Belgian attacker to add more goals to his game as a starter on the left flank, City could sign a player to be an instant upgrade on him.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are leading the race to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause, in the January transfer window.
The report claims that there have been ongoing talks ahead of the next window to ensure that they are in pole position to activate his release clause and win the race for his signature, amid strong interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their first goal
It adds that personal terms with the forward are advanced, with the Cityzens close to getting the player onboard, and that would allow them to make a quick move for him at the start of January.
TEAMtalk also reveals that Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on the Ghana international, who is not at the African Cup of Nations after his country failed to qualify for the tournament.
Why Man City should sign Antoine Semenyo
The Cityzens should sign the Cherries attacker when the January transfer window opens for business because he could be an upgrade on Doku, by providing the goal threat that the Belgian has struggled to offer since he moved to Manchester.
Jeremy-Doku-Man-City
Semenyo, who was described as "the full package" and "unstoppable" by pundit Darren Bent, has scored seven goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, whilst Doku has scored four goals in the division since the start of last season.
In fact, the Belgium international has only scored seven goals in 73 top-flight matches in his City career, per Transfermarkt, which shows that Semenyo would arrive at The Etihad as a huge upgrade on the forward as a goalscorer.
The Bournemouth star's goal return this season is not just impressive in comparison to Doku, though, as he has also been one of the most prolific wingers across the top five leagues in Europe.
|Most goals by wingers in top 5 European leagues (25/26)|
|Player|Goals|
|---|
|Mason Greenwood|11|
|Antoine Semenyo|7|
|Phil Foden|7|
|Luis Diaz|7|
|Christian Pulisic|7|
|Lamine Yamal|6|
|Michael Olise|6|
|Bryan Mbeumo|6|
|Yan Diomande|6|
|Raphinha|6|
|Stats via Transfermarkt|
Only one winger in the top five leagues has outscored the Ghana international, who has scored more league goals than Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and Raphinha.
This suggests that City would be bringing in one of the best goalscoring wingers in Europe if Hugo Viana can strike a deal for the £65m-rated star when the January transfer window opens for business.
semenyo-doku-man-city
The graphic above shows that Doku has the edge on him as a creative player this season. However, Semenyo created more 'big chances' (11) in the Premier League than Doku did (eight) last season, whilst also scoring 11 goals, compared to City winger's three.
This shows that, on the whole, the Cherries forward has the potential to be a big upgrade on the Belgian attacker because of his qualities as both a scorer and as a creator of goals.
Another attractive quality that Semenyo possesses, as was outlined by Dean Holden in the quote above, is that he can play on either flank and be effective with both feet.
The 25-year-old star can be deployed on the left or the right flank, although he has predominantly played on the left this season, which would provide Pep Guardiola with the freedom to play him in multiple roles and positions.
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It is now down to Viana, though, to make sure that City win the race for his signature, amid competition from a bunch of their Premier League rivals.