Persistent and growing doubts over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future are now being seen as a potential opportunity in the transfer window by Manchester United.
Guardiola is contracted out at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the 2026-27 season after signing a two-year contract in November 2024, although there have been whispers in recent months about the Catalan’s possible exit next summer.
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Manchester City are in the embryonic phase of their transition under director of football Hugo Viana, who comprehensively overhauled Guardiola’s squad upon his arrival this summer and named seven new players – after signing the high-profile exits of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Scott Carson, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and James McAtee.
The Blues are competing on all fronts this season and are in a strong position to move forward and build on their positive run so far in the Premier League and Champions League, having secured a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals also this week by beating Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
City are not expected to be as active in the January 2026 transfer window as they were in the summer, but Viana and company are considering a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyu, who will be available for £65m next month.
The Blues need reinforcements in attack due to a worrying over-reliance on Erling Haaland to take almost all of the goal-scoring responsibility this season, with Guardiola believed to be leading Manchester City’s pursuit of Semenyu, who has established himself as one of England’s best and most feared strikers under Andoni Iraola.
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Manchester United have recently entered the race to sign Semenyu, who will have a host of suitors interested in triggering his release clause in January, and the Ghana international is understood to be keen on making the switch to a club competing for major trophies.
Working with Guardiola is an obvious temptation for any target for Manchester City in the transfer market, although Manchester United are actively looking to beat out their local rivals for Semenyu’s services by capitalizing on doubts over Guardiola’s immediate future at the Etihad Stadium.
according to The Telegraph, James DuckerManchester United will do everything they can to sign Semenyu in January and will hope the uncertainty over Guardiola’s future will strengthen their position.
The 25-year-old is known to be in high demand ahead of the New Year, with Manchester City and United also joining Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the pursuit of the versatile striker – who has impressed so far this season alone.
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While Manchester City want Antoine Semenyo, the report insists United are among the suitors to capitalize on doubts over whether Guardiola will remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of the current season.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City will follow up on their interest in Semenyu with a formal bid, with Jeremy Doku sidelined until the new year and Omar Marmoush representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations – amid a lack of goals from wide attacking areas.