Man City Set To Trigger £65 Million Release Clause For Premier League Star

Manchester City are considering making a sensational January move for a signing which they believe can move them closer to Arsenal in their Premier League title race.

Pep Guardiola's side closed the gap to four points on Saturday with a late win over Leeds United thanks to Phil Foden's stunning second goal making it 3-2 in stoppage time.

But Arsenal, who take on Chelsea in a huge clash on Sunday afternoon, have been a class above under Mikel Arteta this season and look like they may finally have it in them to go all the way after finishing second for three consecutive seasons.

City began rebuilding their side around a year ago with the additions of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov and then brought in Rayan Cherki, Gianluigi Donnaruma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and James Trafford.

Rayan Cherki was one of City's summer recruits. Image: Getty

City considering £65 million move

But the club still feel the need to strengthen in the middle of the season, with The Times reporting that City are exploring a mammoth move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Semenyo has grown into one of the hottest properties in the Premier League, with a slew of clubs keeping tabs on the Bristol City academy product.

Semenyo has six goals and three assists in 12 appearances this season and City are weighing up activating the £65 million release clause in his contract.

The club have not yet "fully committed" to the move but there is a feeling from some that his arrival could be exactly what they need to compete with Arsenal and stop them running away with the title.

Semenyo is incredibly versatile and can play on either flank or in a central role, while he is also adept with either foot.

Semenyo has six goals for Bournemouth this season. Image: Getty

The 25-year-old carries a huge goal threat and could ease the burden on Erling Haaland, who has notched 14 of the City's 27 goals in the Premier League.

While Jeremy Doku has made huge strides forward, fellow wingers Oscar Bobb and Savinho have failed to impress - with the latter scoring just once in 15 appearances after being the subject of a £60 million offer from Spurs in the summer.

Marmoush has struggled for game-time and is likely to be absent for a considerable period due to representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which runs from December 21 until January 18.

Semenyo is a Ghana international but his country did not qualify for the first time in 21 years and so he is poised to be available to play.