Ornstein Ends Liverpool Semenyo Speculation: Man City Medical Confirmed as Deal Finalised

Hopes of a dramatic Liverpool intervention in the Antoine Semenyo transfer saga have been emphatically extinguished. Respected journalist David Ornstein has put paid to speculation that the Reds might yet steal a march on Manchester City for the Bournemouth winger's signature.

The 23-year-old has been one of the Premier League's brightest sparks this season, plundering ten goals and laying on three assists across 20 appearances. His performances have naturally drawn the gaze of England's elite, with several Big Six outfits circling.

With a £65m release clause sitting in his contract and the quality on display week after week, Semenyo's departure always seemed inevitable come January. Manchester City had already positioned themselves at the front of the queue, and recent developments suggested the deal was all but wrapped up.

That didn't stop Jamie Redknapp from floating the possibility of a Liverpool ambush on Wednesday evening. The pundit suggested there might yet be "a little twist" in the tale, questioning why Liverpool hadn't made a stronger push for a player of Semenyo's calibre—particularly given uncertainties surrounding Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield.

"I think Liverpool could still be in the equation," Redknapp mused, pointing to the forward line as an area where the Reds might strengthen.

Those whispers have now been definitively silenced. Ornstein confirmed on Thursday morning that City have "finalised an agreement" with Bournemouth, with Semenyo set for his medical examination today.

The financial structure reveals City's negotiating acumen. Rather than simply triggering the release clause, they've structured a deal worth £62.5m guaranteed plus £1.5m in performance-related add-ons—totalling £64m. The masterstroke comes in the payment terms: City will settle the fee across 24 months rather than upfront, securing a more favourable arrangement than the fixed release clause would have offered. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have secured a 10 per cent sell-on clause should Semenyo move again in future.

Ben Jacobs subsequently confirmed the obvious: there was no hijack attempt from Merseyside. Semenyo is progressing through his medical as planned before putting pen to paper on a 5.5-year contract at the Etihad.

For Bournemouth, this represents their biggest sale in the club's history—a testament to their shrewd recruitment and development over recent seasons.