Manchester City Closing in on deals to be signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth after moving to meet the forward’s £65m release clause, although Cherries head coach Andy Iraola insists the Ghana international is yet to play his final game for the club.

Talks between the two sides have intensified over the past 48 hours, with talks now focused on sorting out the remaining details before the January transfer window opens on Thursday.

City have agreed to trigger Semenyo’s clause and the player’s representatives were in Manchester on Monday to finalize personal terms.

Discussions continued on Tuesday, with sources suggesting a full agreement is close. Semenyo, 25, is desperate for clarity on his future before the turn of the year, but Bournemouth are determined to keep him for at least their next two fixtures.

The winger played a full match in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea and Iraola has made it clear he expects to see him again, starting with Saturday’s game against Arsenal. “He is a massive player for us and he will still be with us,” Irola told BBC Match of the Day. “He hasn’t played the last game for us, definitely not.”

Sources have revealed that Bournemouth want Semenyo to be available for the Arsenal match and the match against Tottenham on Wednesday, January 7, before the release mechanism in his contract expires on January 10.

While Liverpool are interested, City are currently leading the race and are expected to complete the move Premier League The champions intervene at the end.

Despite interest from several clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, City are the only side to have made formal contact with Bournemouth, putting them firmly in pole position to secure Semenyo’s signature.