Manchester City demonstrated their enduring financial muscle and strategic ambition on Transfer Deadline Day, completing an £84 million double deal that saw Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi arrive at the Etihad Stadium before the winter window slammed shut.

The Premier League giants moved decisively on February 2, 2026, triggering the £64 million release clause in Semenyo's Bournemouth contract while simultaneously securing England international Guehi from Crystal Palace for a bargain £20 million. Both deals were completed before the 19:00 GMT deadline, though the Football Association's two-hour grace period for submitted deal sheets provided a safety net for clubs racing against the clock.

Semenyo's arrival represents a significant statement of intent from Pep Guardiola's recruitment team. The Ghanaian forward has been one of the Premier League's most exciting attacking talents over recent seasons, and Bournemouth's decision to insert a release clause in his contract ultimately proved their undoing. City's willingness to meet the £64 million asking price without negotiation underlines just how highly they rate the 26-year-old's abilities.

The acquisition of Guehi, meanwhile, may prove to be the shrewder piece of business. Crystal Palace found themselves in an unenviable negotiating position, with the centre-back's contract winding down and the club facing the prospect of losing him for nothing in the summer. This stands in stark contrast to the summer of 2025, when Palace firmly rejected a £35 million offer for the defender, believing they could command a higher fee.

That gamble spectacularly backfired. With Guehi declining to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park, Palace were forced to accept less than 60 percent of what they had previously turned down. For City, securing an England international defender of Guehi's calibre for just £20 million represents exceptional value in today's inflated market.

The double signing addresses two areas Guardiola has been keen to strengthen. Semenyo's pace, directness and goal threat will provide fresh impetus to City's attacking options, while Guehi brings the defensive solidity and composure that has made him a fixture in the England setup. Both players arrive at a club that demands immediate adaptation to its possession-based philosophy.

For Bournemouth, losing Semenyo is a significant blow, though the £64 million windfall provides substantial funds for reinvestment. Manager Andoni Iraola will need to identify suitable replacements quickly as the Cherries continue their quest for Premier League stability.

Palace's situation is more complex. The club's failure to tie down Guehi to a long-term contract, combined with their refusal to sell when his value was at its peak, will raise questions about the decision-making at board level. Losing such a prized asset for £20 million will sting, particularly given the interest that existed six months earlier.

As the dust settles on another frantic deadline day, City emerge as clear winners. The £84 million outlay strengthens Guardiola's squad significantly while securing two players entering their prime years. Whether this investment translates into silverware remains to be seen, but few would bet against the Premier League's dominant force adding to their trophy collection come May.

The winter window may have closed, but at the Etihad Stadium, the excitement is only just beginning.