Should Semenyo stay at the Vitality Stadium beyond the January window, his release clause would significantly decrease ahead of the summer. However, given the strong interest from top-flight clubs, particularly City, a winter departure seems most likely.

Ornstein suggests that Semenyo’s ambition to win silverware played a key role in his preference for City. Pep Guardiola’s team have clinched six Premier League titles since 2018, with only Liverpool managing to topple them twice.

In 2023, City made their mark in Europe by clinching a Champions League victory against Inter Milan, completing a historic treble with league and FA Cup wins. Their rivals, Manchester United, are also reportedly interested in Semenyo, but a January move was always going to be a tall order for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Liverpool and Tottenham were also linked with the player, but neither seemed to intensify their chase recently. Chelsea emerged as surprise contenders on Tuesday, with rumours of enquiries to Semenyo’s representatives.

However, it later transpired that they had opted not to pursue the 25-year-old, choosing instead to rely on their existing attacking line-up. A potential deal for Semenyo would bolster Guardiola’s already impressive attack, which includes Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.

City are currently embroiled in a title race with Arsenal, trailing the league leaders by just two points after 17 games. However, City’s immediate attention will be on their forthcoming fixtures as the New Year approaches. They face an away match against Nottingham Forest shortly after Christmas, followed by a challenging encounter with Sunderland on 2nd January.