A major move is about to be wrapped up in the Premier League, and while it will not directly affect Newcastle United on Saturday, it still carries an interesting twist. Antoine Semenyo is expected to play his final match for Bournemouth on Wednesday night when they face Tottenham Hotspur, before completing a high-profile transfer to Manchester City.
Once that deal is confirmed, the winger will no longer be available for Bournemouth’s FA Cup clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park this weekend.
Eddie Howe is preparing to welcome his former club back to Tyneside for the third round of the FA Cup, with a place in the next stage up for grabs. However, Bournemouth will have to make that trip without one of their most dangerous players.
Semenyo’s absence is significant, given the form he has shown throughout the season and the impact he has had in key moments for the Cherries.
The move to Manchester City has gathered pace quickly after the champions decided to activate Semenyo’s release clause, believed to be worth around £65 million. Several clubs were tracking the winger ahead of the January window, with Liverpool also credited with strong interest.
In the end, it was City who moved decisively, and they now look set to add another explosive attacking option to their already star-studded squad.
If all paperwork is completed in time, there is a chance Semenyo could make his Manchester City debut as early as the weekend, when they host Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup. If that opportunity comes too soon, then fate could deliver an even more dramatic first appearance.
City are scheduled to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday night in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, and that fixture could become the stage for Semenyo’s first outing in sky blue.
The winger leaves Bournemouth in outstanding form. He has scored nine league goals this season and added three assists, making him one of the most effective attacking players outside the traditional top sides.
His pace, strength, and direct style have caused problems for defenders week after week, and it is easy to see why Manchester City were prepared to move quickly to secure his signature.
While attention shifts toward Semenyo’s future, Newcastle United continue to assess their own plans for the January transfer window. The Magpies have been notably quiet in recent winters, failing to make a senior signing in either of the last two mid-season windows.
The last time they truly strengthened in January was back in 2023, when Anthony Gordon arrived and played a key role in the club’s push for Champions League qualification.
Financial restrictions limited Newcastle’s activity in both 2024 and 2025, forcing the club to be cautious and patient. Those constraints are expected to ease somewhat this time, but that does not mean spending will be reckless.
January is famously a difficult month to do business, with inflated prices and limited availability. Newcastle’s approach remains focused on value and long-term planning rather than short-term fixes.
Eddie Howe has been clear about how injuries will shape any decisions this month. He has stressed that if the squad is fully fit, there may be little room to improve without disrupting the balance that has been built.
However, injuries, especially in defensive areas, could quickly change that thinking given the heavy schedule Newcastle face across multiple competitions.
Howe has explained that January decisions depend heavily on availability and depth. If key players are missing and the fixture list becomes demanding, then reinforcements may be necessary. Otherwise, the club is prepared to wait until the summer to make more strategic additions.
This transfer window also marks an important moment behind the scenes. It is the first January overseen by Newcastle’s new sporting director, Ross Wilson, who arrived from Nottingham Forest in October. The coming weeks will give Wilson his first real chance to shape the squad alongside Howe and demonstrate how Newcastle intend to operate moving forward.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch. Newcastle will take on Bournemouth without Semenyo, which could give them a slight advantage in the FA Cup. Yet there is also the possibility that they may soon face the winger again, this time wearing Manchester City colours, under the bright lights of St James’ Park. Football has a habit of bringing stories full circle, and this one may not be finished just yet.
