Pep Left Man City With Two Huge Premier League Signings

Getting two players of this quality from the Premier League in the same transfer window was a major piece of business by Manchester City.

Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi joined City in January 2026, with the club paying around £82.5 million in initial fees for the pair.

Semenyo arrived from Bournemouth for £62.5 million, while Guéhi joined from Crystal Palace for £20 million. Both players signed five-and-a-half-year contracts.

What made the deals particularly impressive was the quality of the players City managed to secure.

Semenyo had attracted interest from several major Premier League clubs before City won the race for the Ghana international. The winger had established himself as one of Bournemouth's most dangerous attacking players before making the move.

Guéhi was also one of the most highly regarded English centre-backs in the league. Liverpool had previously been close to signing him, while other major clubs had shown interest. City eventually secured his services for just £20 million because he was approaching the final months of his Crystal Palace contract.

The timing is also interesting.

Both transfers were completed while before the summer transfer window, meaning that they were signed at a very economically friendly bargain and with less competition from clubs.

Guardiola stepped down at the end of the season after a decade at the Etihad, with Enzo Maresca now leading the team.

Semenyo has already made a strong impression under Maresca, producing four assists during City's pre-season tour of Asia, including two for Omar Marmoush against Atlético Madrid.

Guéhi, meanwhile, gives City another proven option at centre-back.

For roughly £82.5 million, City secured two players who were already proven in the Premier League.

Did Pep Guardiola leave Manchester City with two of the best January signings in the league?