African Transfer Frenzy: Semenyo's £62m Splash, Salah Stays Put, and AFCON Stars on the Radar

Alright, footy fans, pull up a stool at the pub because the January transfer window's African contingent is serving up some absolute belters with just days left until Monday's deadline. As reported by Ed Dove at ESPN Italy, we've had mega-money moves, surprise loans, and enough rumours to fill a pint glass. Let's crack on with the juicy bits.

First off, the headline-grabber: Ghana's Antoine Semenyo has rocked up at Manchester City for a whopping £62.5 million from Bournemouth. Pep Guardiola's clearly got his eyes on another goal machine to back up Erling Haaland in the title scrap against Arsenal. The 26-year-old was banging in 21 Premier League goals over his last 18 months on the south coast, and he's hit the ground running with three in his first four games for the Sky Blues. Work rate, skills, vision – tick, tick, tick for Pep's system. Bournemouth's boss Rob Edwards basically said they had midfielders coming out of their ears, so surplus to requirements it was.

Sticking with the Prem, Zimbabwe's Marshall Munetsi got the boot from Wolves on loan to Paris FC back on January 16. Oddly left out of his nation's AFCON squad, but now he's heading back to Ligue 1 where he thrived for six years at Reims. Fresh start, familiar turf – could be a smart move for the 29-year-old.

Over in France too, Arsenal's Anglo-Nigerian prodigy Ethan Nwaneri's off on loan to Marseille. Mikel Arteta reckons he can chase the title without the 18-year-old on the bench. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest's Arnaud Kalimuendo – the Franco-Congolese forward – has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with a cheeky £23.5 million buy option. Fingers crossed he rediscovers his mojo in the Bundesliga.

Now, the saga that's had everyone chatting: Mo Salah. The Liverpool legend looked set to wave ta-ra to Anfield after some spicy post-match chat in December following a mad 3-3 with Leeds. But after AFCON in Morocco, things have thawed with boss Arne Slot. He's started the last two games, bagged an assist in the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, and January exit talk's gone quieter. Saudi Pro League's sniffing around, and Italian whispers say AS Roma fancy a nostalgia reunion with their ex-hero from 2015-2017. But for now, he's staying put.

At City, £59 million man Omar Marmoush arrived a year ago with seven league goals in 16 games, but Pep's plans seem to have hit a snag – especially with Semenyo muscling in. Villa and Spurs are eyeing him up, but the Egyptian, fresh off a stormer at AFCON, netted against Wolves on Saturday and insists he's fighting for his spot. Proper grit there.

Nigeria's Super Eagles lit up AFCON, and their lads are transfer catnip. Frank Onyeka shone in tournament knockouts but's been benched at Brentford under Keith Andrews (after an Augsburg loan last year). Championship clubs like Sheffield United, Coventry, and Birmingham are queuing up – wise move for the 28-year-old holding mid? Valencia chatter sounds like pub banter, mind.

Striker Terem Moffi could wave goodbye to Nice, with Porto and Besiktas in the mix. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who bagged a brace vs Tunisia for Nigeria, has Aston Villa chatting with Club Brugge, but Galatasaray lead the dance. Everton knocked back Lazio's bid for Tim Iroegbunam – the 22-year-old ex-Villa lad who's started 11 games – but expect another punt before deadline. And Brentford's full-back Michael Kayode? Man City interest, but he's digging heels in.

AFCON's always a scout magnet, and this one's no different. PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye, Senegal's champ and youngest-ever scorer or summat, turned heads. Loads more wonderkids on radars, but that's for another pint.

With the window creaking shut, expect more chaos. Who's your punt for the next big African switch? Cheers to Dove for the intel – keep it locked to TheFootball.News for all the madness.