Jamie Redknapp has revealed that his father, former Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp, was the source behind his erroneous claim that Antoine Semenyo might join Liverpool instead of Manchester City. The pundit admitted the tip was “completely wrong” during Sky Sports' coverage of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Newcastle and Manchester City.
Semenyo had been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, but after scoring a 95th-minute winner for Bournemouth against Tottenham, Redknapp suggested a late twist could see the Ghanaian switch to Liverpool. Just a day later, the forward completed his £60 million move to Manchester City, leaving Redknapp red-faced.
Presenter Mark Chapman teased Redknapp, calling him a “transfer guru”, to which Redknapp replied: “I heard there was going to be a twist! And there wasn't! … On this occasion, my dad called me, he was at Bournemouth when Semenyo scored that incredible goal, and he said ‘I think there might be a twist and he might be going to Liverpool’. I thought ‘I'm going to say that on air’. I had turned into Fabrizio Romano for five seconds, and I got it completely wrong.”
Despite the false rumour, Semenyo has hit the ground running at City, scoring and assisting on his FA Cup debut against Exeter City before netting the opener in a 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Newcastle. The 26-year-old has quickly adapted to his new environment, crediting the “perfect” atmosphere at the club.
Manager Pep Guardiola praised the January signing, saying: “We know Bournemouth did an incredible job with him and every time the ball arrives to him he always is there.” Semenyo’s strong start has given City an advantage in the Carabao Cup and boosted their Premier League title push.
