Manchester City are now seriously considering paying £65m for an "unplayable" star, who Pep Guardiola has praised in the past.
Man City eyeing new forward despite emphatic West Ham victory
Man City are hot on Arsenal's heels at the top of the Premier League table, currently sitting just two points behind Mikel Arteta's side, after thrashing struggling West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Erling Haaland bagged another two goals, taking his tally to 19 in the Premier League before even reaching the half-way stage, while Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden also continued to impress, creating four big chances between them.
The Blues have scored ten more goals than any other top-flight side this season, such is the strength of their attack, with the likes of Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb and Omar Marmoush also fighting for places in the side.
Manchester City's Omar Marmoush in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri
With Marmoush falling down the pecking order, however, Tottenham Hotspur have recently emerged as potential suitors for the Egyptian, even though Guardiola is keen to keep hold of the forward, given the congested fixture list.
Should Man City manage to bring in another forward next month, however, they may be able to let Marmoush go, and they are now seriously considering paying the £65m release clause required to sign AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
That is according to a report from Spain, which states City are now 'moving decisively' to sign Semenyo, who is attracting interest from a number of the Premier League's top clubs, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their first goa
Interestingly, the report claims the Ghanaian wants to leave Bournemouth in the upcoming window, and would be keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium, viewing it as the ideal opportunity to compete for trophies.
Signing "unplayable" Semenyo could give Pep selection dilemma
As previously mentioned, Cherki and Foden have put in some eye-catching performances this season, with the latter amassing ten goals and four assists in 23 matches in all competitions.
Not only that, but Doku has also impressed, providing five assists in the Premier League, so signing Semenyo in January would give Pep a real selection dilemma in attack.
That said, it is clear to see why City are so keen on the 25-year-old, who is now the joint-third top scorer in the Premier League this season, after scoring in the Cherries' 1-1 draw against Burnley at the weekend.
Premier League top goalscorers Appearances Goals
Erling Haaland 17 19
Igor Thiago 17 11
Antoine Semenyo 16 8
Hugo Ekitike 16 8
Pep has made it clear he is a big fan of the Bournemouth star too, having described him as "extraordinary", while journalist Ed Aarons has described him as "unplayable".
Manchester City's Rodri applauds fans after the match Related
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He could become their long-term replacement for Rodri.
Semenyo has earned a move to a top club, but it would not be a disaster if Man City missed out, given the range of top-quality attacking options they already have at their disposal.