Fabrizio Romano: 'Here we go' soon as verbal agreement reached for Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham targetplaceholder image
Fabrizio Romano: 'Here we go' soon as verbal agreement reached for Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham target | Getty Images
Liverpool look set to miss out on one of their targets after previous reports they had agreed personal terms
Manchester City already have a verbal agreement in place to sign Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Cherries winger has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season with nine goals and three assists so far. Two of those goals came on the opening weekend of the campaign as he netted twice at Anfield as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2 back in August.
He has attracted interest from several clubs, with BBC Sport this week naming Liverpool as a club keen to sign Semenyo with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham also linked.
However, he appears to be on his way to the Reds’ Premier League rivals.
Semenyo has a release clause in his Bournemouth contract worth £65m but it is set to expire next week before an even lower release clause activates in the summer if he does not move on this month.
He does appear to be on his way to City, with Romano revealing that he will play for Bournemouth against Arsenal. Guardiola’s side are four points behind the Gunners in the Premier League title race but they want to retain a good relationship with Bournemouth so are willing to wait before completing a deal.
Giving an update, Romano said: “My understanding, guys, is that a verbal agreement between Manchester City and Bournemouth for Antoine Semenyo is already in place and almost ready for the value of the release clause, £65m.
“So the two clubs already spoke about that. It's just about the timing, when to release Semenyo, so it's just, you know, kind of diplomatic thing between Bournemouth and Manchester City.
“They have a good relationship, they want to maintain a good relationship, and so this is what they're doing. Understanding when it is going to be the best moment to let Antoine Semenyo travel, do the medical, get the here we go and become a new Manchester City player, but that remains the situation.”
He added: “I'm told that Manchester City have all set to sign Antoine Semenyo. It will be a here we go soon.”
The release clause means that any club could trigger the £65m fee and attempt to sign Semenyo but the player is said to be keen on a move to City, which makes any possibility of a late hijack from Liverpool unlikely.
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