Antoine Semenyo is tipped to receive an iconic squad number if he completes his move to Manchester City.
Semenyo has worn the number 24 shirt at Bournemouth for the past three years, having previously worn shirts 11, 18 and 42 during his club career.
Number 42 was Semenyo’s very first shirt number when he broke into the Bristol City first team and he seems to be fond of that number, having worn it when he played for Ghana – although he has also played at international level with 11, 15, 17, 19, 22 and 25 on the back of his shirt.
What shirt number will Antoine Semenyo get at Manchester City?
If, as expected, Semenyo – who has rejected Tottenham’s interest – completes a move to the Etihad Stadium in January, he will be unable to keep the number 24. Josko Gvardiol currently wears that shirt at Man City and mid-season shirt number changes are not allowed.
Therefore, Semenyo can only take a squad number that is currently unoccupied at City. Those options include 1, 2, 10, 12, 15, 17, 23 and 28 – plus all numbers between 33 and 99, except 45, 47, 52, 75, 78, 82, 87 and 93.
Since 42 is the number Semenyo started his career with, many people expect this to be his choice.
But there is another reason why Semenyo might be tempted to opt for 42.
Semenyo could take over Yaya Touré’s shirt number at Man City
No Man City player has worn the number 42 at the club since the departure of legendary midfielder Yaya Toure in 2018.
Toure, who is now 42 years old, is widely regarded as one of City’s best ever players. He scored 82 goals in 316 appearances for City after joining from Barcelona in 2010 and won seven trophies during his time in Manchester.
Semenyo could potentially be persuaded to take over the number 42 at City due to the prestige of the shirt.
Antoine Semenyo will become a Man City player from tomorrow.
Andoni Iraola: “He deserved this moment, it’s a fairytale ending.”
“It’s not easy to do what he did because most players would have done it differently.” pic.twitter.com/EAiRHVOXA3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2026
Who else has worn number 42 for Man City?
Although no player has worn Man City’s shirt number 42 since Toure left in 2018, the shirt has been worn by two other first-team players in the club’s history.
After Touré, City’s most memorable number 42 was Bradley Wright-Phillips, who made 40 appearances for the club in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons.
Glen Whelan also wore number 42 in his only senior appearance for City, who recorded a 2–0 victory over Welsh side TNS in a UEFA Cup qualifier in 2003.
Semenyo’s career in figures
Squad numbers aren’t the only figures City fans will care about when it comes to assessing their next big signing.
Semenyo has contributed at least ten direct goals (goals and assists) in each of the last three Premier League seasons.
He has provided 10 goals and three assists in 20 appearances for Bournemouth so far this season, having produced 19 goals and seven assists in the previous two seasons.
Should he make a similar contribution for City, he should prove to be a hit with fans, regardless of the number on the back of his shirt.
Meanwhile, replacing Semenyo at the Vitality Stadium could prove very difficult, but Bournemouth are said to be eyeing a loan move for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri.
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