Lingering and growing doubts over Guardiola’s future at Manchester City are now being viewed by United as a potential opportunity in the transfer window.
Guardiola is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the 2026-27 season after signing a two-year deal in November 2024, although there have been rumors in recent months that the Catalan could leave next summer.
advertise
City are in the nascent stages of a transformation under director of football Hugo Viana, who overhauled Pep Guardiola’s squad upon his arrival this summer and recruited seven new players – following the signings of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Scott Carson, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and James McCarty.
The Blues are competing on all fronts this season and are in good form in the Premier League and Champions League and secured their place in this week’s Carabao Cup semi-finals by beating Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City’s January 2026 transfer window is not expected to be as active as it was in the summer, but Viana and Co. are considering a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenho, who is on sale for £65m next month.
The Blues are in need of reinforcements in attack as they are worryingly over-reliant on Erling Haaland to carry almost all of the goalscoring duties this season, with Guardiola considered to be the leading figure in City’s pursuit of Semenho, who has become one of England’s best and most feared attackers under Andoni Illaura.
advertise
United have recently entered the race to sign Semenho, with a number of suitors interested in activating his release clause in January and the Ghana international is understood to be keen on a move to a club competing for major trophies.
Partnering with Guardiola would be an obvious temptation for any City target in the transfer market, although United are actively seeking to replace the services of their local rival Semenho amid doubts over Guardiola’s immediate future at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United will be “all in” to sign Semenho in January and hope uncertainty over Pep Guardiola’s future will bolster their ranks, according to James Duck of The Telegraph.
The 25-year-old is known to be in huge demand ahead of the New Year, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool also joining the chase for the versatile forward – who has impressed so far this season alone.
advertise
While Manchester City want Antoine Semenho, reports insist Manchester United are among the suitors, capitalizing on doubts over Guardiola’s presence at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether City will follow their interest in Semenho with a formal offer, with Jeremy Doku out until the New Year and Omar Marmouche representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations – a lack of goals from wide areas of attack a cause for concern.
