Manchester City are poised to hand Antoine Semenyo his first taste of UEFA Champions League football this season, with the Ghanaian forward expected to be registered for the knockout stages following the club’s progression to the last 16.
City confirmed their place in the round of 16 on Wednesday night with a composed 2-0 win over Galatasaray, a result that secured qualification from the league phase and allowed Pep Guardiola’s side to shift focus to the decisive stages of the competition.
Semenyo, who completed a January move to the Etihad, was ineligible during the earlier phase of the tournament due to UEFA registration rules that bar mid-season signings from featuring before the knockouts.
As a result, he was restricted to domestic action despite being fully fit and available.
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That situation is now set to change. UEFA regulations permit clubs advancing to the knockout rounds to register up to three new players ahead of a February deadline, a provision City are expected to use to add Semenyo to their updated A-List squad.
His inclusion would bolster Guardiola’s attacking options as City prepare for the high-stakes rounds of Europe’s elite competition. Additional squad adjustments are anticipated in the coming weeks, with further clarity expected ahead of the round of 16 draw.
