By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 18:56 EST, 7 January 2026 | Updated: 18:56 EST, 7 January 2026
Antoine Semenyo could join Liverpool over Man City despite having a medical booked in at the Etihad, according to Jamie Redknapp.
Semenyo, 26, is expected to join Pep Guardiola's side for £65million as part of a release clause in his contract.
The forward has shone for Bournemouth this season, scoring 10 goals in 20 appearances, including a fairytale injury-time winner against Tottenham on Wednesday in what is likely to be his final act for the club.
Despite widespread reports suggesting Semenyo's move to City is imminent, which included Cherries boss Andoni Iraola saying there were merely 'formalities' to complete, Redknapp was hesitant, and shared a bombshell claim.
'Everyone thinks it’s a foregone conclusion [for Semenyo] but I’m not so sure… I’m hearing Liverpool have come in,' he said on Sky Sports.
'I think Liverpool could still be in the equation. I've got to be honest, why they haven't come in as strongly (as City) I'm surprised because if you look at that position with Mohamed Salah and what happens with him and how long he's going to be at the club for, we don't quite know.
Antoine Semenyo is expected to join Man City from Bournemouth in a £65million transfer
But Jamie Redknapp claimed the forward's move to the Etihad is not a foregone conclusion
'But if you have a player of that quality (Semenyo)... he's showed he's a matchwinner, he turns up in the big moments, why wouldn't you be in for him?
'I’m not saying it’s Sky Sports breaking news but I’ve heard tonight it might not be the foregone conclusion that everyone's talking about him having a medical at Man City … there might still be a little twist.'
Speaking after the forward's winner in Bournemouth's 3-2 victory over Spurs on Wednesday, Iraola had heaped praise on Semenyo, whose City medical is booked in for Thursday, saying he deserved the perfect ending.
'It's not easy to do what he has done,' said Iraola. 'Most players would have acted differently.
'He never found excuses. He was ready to give what we needed. We could keep him until the last second and it is fair that he leaves with the feeling he has at the end.
'With the reception of the supporters, and all this. I am very happy for him.'
The Spaniard continued: 'I am very happy for him personally because he deserves it. A moment he will never forget.
'But it's true he's a big miss, a player you cannot replace. He is an incredible player.
'I don't know how they will use him but he is a player improving every season with us and even before, in the lower divisions, stepping up and he is ready to do it again.'
Meanwhile, Semenyo's potential new team-mates suffered another blow to their title hopes on Wednesday when they drew 1-1 with Brighton, a result that was City's third draw in a row.
It means that if Arsenal beat Liverpool on Thursday, the Gunners will go eight points clear at the top of the table as they edge closer to winning their first Premier League title since 2004.