The clock is ticking for Antoine Semenyo, with the Ghanaian marksman demanding his blockbuster transfer be sealed before the New Year’s fireworks begin.

Entering a critical 48-hour window, the Bournemouth attacker is reportedly eager to conclude his departure by 1 January, setting the stage for one of the winter window's most expensive moves.

With a release clause set at £65 million (approx. KES 11.3 billion), the stakes are astronomical. Manchester City currently occupies the pole position, but a sudden injury crisis at Liverpool could turn this into a high-stakes tug-of-war for the Black Stars international.

The Etihad Advantage

Reports from BBC Sport indicate that negotiations between the Premier League champions and Semenyo’s camp are already at an advanced stage. It is understood that further talks are scheduled within the next two days, with City executives keen to finalize the deal swiftly.

Pep Guardiola’s side remains the only club to have established formal club-to-club contact with Bournemouth. This proactive approach has given them a significant head start over their rivals.

The Anfield Factor

However, the race is far from run. Liverpool is monitoring the situation closely following an injury to Alexander Isak. While the Reds have not yet tabled a formal bid, their interest is genuine and could disrupt City's plans.

Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes holds a strategic card: his close historical links to the south-coast club from his time at the Vitality Stadium. This relationship could facilitate a late entry if the Anfield hierarchy decides to trigger the release clause.

A Crowded Field

While the two titans lead the pack, Semenyo’s form has attracted a host of suitors desperate for attacking reinforcements. The Ghana international is reportedly on the radar of several top-tier clubs:

• Manchester City: Currently in advanced talks.
• Liverpool: Assessing options post-Isak injury.
• Manchester United: Long-term admirers of the forward.
• Tottenham Hotspur: Monitoring the situation.
• Chelsea: Included in the list of five inquiring sides.

For Semenyo, the priority is clear: certainty. As the transfer window prepares to swing open on Wednesday, the forward’s patience appears to be the only thing in short supply.