Manchester City's £65 million transfer deal for Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo has left many scratching their heads. The Ghanaian, 25, joins a club that has already signed several high-profile players this summer, including Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden from the right flank. But what makes this deal so peculiar is not just the fee itself, but how little attention it's garnered.
In an era where big transfers are the norm, £65 million seems like a reasonable price tag for a player of Semenyo's abilities: quick, skilful, intelligent, and hardworking. He has four-and-a-half years left on his contract, which is standard in modern football. The market dictates value, and if City can afford it, that's all that matters.
But the question remains: was this transfer a bargain or a misfire? Pedants might point out that Semenyo costs nearly seven times as much as Nordi Mukiele, who signed for Sunderland from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Supply and demand dictate prices, and if there's interest in Semenyo, the price goes up.
However, not everyone has had a successful stint as a big No 9 this season. Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian striker who joined Newcastle United, is an anomaly. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, his overall performance has been underwhelming. It's worth noting that Sesko was signed in the same "striker bubble" as Semenyo and Hugo Ekitiké, with all three aiming to fill the role of a prolific goal-scorer.
It seems that old-school No 9s, like the Filippo Inzaghi-style forward, have become relics of the past. The game has changed, and with it, the way coaches approach recruitment. But just because Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker who costs hundreds of millions, is thriving, it doesn't necessarily mean that big, old-school strikers are back in vogue.
Ultimately, whether Semenyo will prove to be worth £65 million remains to be seen. The answer lies with Pep Guardiola's plans for the player, which have historically been spot on. However, valuations in the Premier League feel detached from any objective reality. Value is subjective, and fees are a reflection of that.
Semenyo, 25, has shown promise, but it will take time to establish himself as an excellent player for City. The key question is: was £65 million a fair price for his services? Only the market will tell.
In an era where big transfers are the norm, £65 million seems like a reasonable price tag for a player of Semenyo's abilities: quick, skilful, intelligent, and hardworking. He has four-and-a-half years left on his contract, which is standard in modern football. The market dictates value, and if City can afford it, that's all that matters.
But the question remains: was this transfer a bargain or a misfire? Pedants might point out that Semenyo costs nearly seven times as much as Nordi Mukiele, who signed for Sunderland from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Supply and demand dictate prices, and if there's interest in Semenyo, the price goes up.
However, not everyone has had a successful stint as a big No 9 this season. Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian striker who joined Newcastle United, is an anomaly. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, his overall performance has been underwhelming. It's worth noting that Sesko was signed in the same "striker bubble" as Semenyo and Hugo Ekitiké, with all three aiming to fill the role of a prolific goal-scorer.
It seems that old-school No 9s, like the Filippo Inzaghi-style forward, have become relics of the past. The game has changed, and with it, the way coaches approach recruitment. But just because Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker who costs hundreds of millions, is thriving, it doesn't necessarily mean that big, old-school strikers are back in vogue.
Ultimately, whether Semenyo will prove to be worth £65 million remains to be seen. The answer lies with Pep Guardiola's plans for the player, which have historically been spot on. However, valuations in the Premier League feel detached from any objective reality. Value is subjective, and fees are a reflection of that.
Semenyo, 25, has shown promise, but it will take time to establish himself as an excellent player for City. The key question is: was £65 million a fair price for his services? Only the market will tell.
. I mean, Semenyo's skills and work rate are legit 
. He's not exactly some elite goal-scorer like Haaland or Aguero, but he's got potential to be a solid no. 9. City's been quiet on transfers for ages, so when they do make moves, it's usually with big targets in mind 
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. You'd think £65 million would spark some debate, but nah...people are just too busy obsessing over bigger names 
, I think the £65m fee is SO reasonable for Semenyo! He's got 4.5 years left on his contract and is basically a top-tier player with that level of skill and speed. The fact that he wasn't getting more attention is wild - maybe the market just didn't value him enough? 
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. We'll have to wait and see how Semenyo adapts to life at the Etihad and whether he justifies the fee 
. He's also relatively young, which is a big plus. The £65 million price tag seems reasonable considering his experience and work rate 
The data shows us that big strikers aren't as in vogue as they used to be 
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. One thing's for sure though - if he doesn't turn out to be a top-notch striker, City's gonna be left wondering what they've done 
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I'm not saying he won't do well at City but 7 times more than Nordi Mukiele is just wild 
doesn't make sense to me. Semenyo's gotta prove himself, but I'm not convinced it'll be worth the price tag 
. And what's with the market dictating value, anyway? It feels like the prices just keep going up and up until they're completely detached from reality 
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. I'm all for giving players a chance, but this feels like they're throwing money at the problem and hoping someone sticks. And what's with the lack of buzz around it? Is everyone just too excited about Cherki and Foden to care about Semenyo's arrival? The stats say he's got skills, but I'm guessing Pep's going to figure out a way to make him work, that's always been his M.O. Still, £65 million's a big ask, even if it is standard for a decent striker these days 
. The transfer fee may have been a bargain or misfire, but only time will tell 
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and we stopped at this tiny café that served the best avocado toast I've ever had, hands down 
. And it got me thinking, have you guys tried that new plant-based milk they're selling in stores? I mean, I know some people love it, but I just can't get on board with the taste 
this transfer deal is straight outta weirdo land. Like, £65 million for Antoine Semenyo? That's just mental 
. I mean, he's not bad or anything, but 7 times the price of Nordi Mukiele? Come on 
. I'm not even sure if Semenyo is going to be worth it or not... probably just another case of overpaying for a player