Liverpool have been linked with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Antoine Semenyo.
View Image
Liverpool have received a boost in the pursuit of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as reports suggest that the Cherries have 'reluctantly accepted' a departure. The Reds are among a host of Premier League clubs mooted with the 25-year-old, who has established himself as the latest key player in Andoni Iraola's side.
The Athletic have reported that the South Coast club are under the assumption that they are powerless to prevent a departure as early as the forthcoming January transfer window. It has been claimed that a sale this winter will be sanctioned for £65million, however the release clause must be met by a specific date in order to let Bournemouth sign a replacement.
Sky Sports have also claimed that Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, who failed in efforts to sign him in the summer, are monitoring the 25-year-old's future ahead of the window re-opening on January 1.
Author avatar
Author avatar
Despite interest last summer, Semenyo signed a new five-year deal at the Vitality Stadium. The Reds are already well aware of his qualities after he punished Liverpool during their dramatic opening day win over Bournemouth.
He scored twice as the Cherries overturned a two-goal deficit before Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah were on target to take the game away from the visitors.
Arne Slot faces a potential head ache in the coming weeks with the Egyptian set to join his Pharaohs teammate at the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Liverpool, who sit eighth in the Premier League and eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal, could be without their star forward for up to eight matches as they remain locked in talks with the Egypt Football Association.
Their campaign gets underway on December 22 when they face Zimbabwe but they could look to have Salah join up with his teammates for their warm-up fixtures.
The 33-year-old could miss six matches, depending on Egypt's progression in the tournament, with the round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final or third-place playoff due to be played between January 3 and January 18, where he could miss Leeds (H - January 1), Fulham (A - January 4), Arsenal (A - January 8), FA Cup third round (January 9/10/11) and Burnley (H - January 17).
As it stands, Salah will potentially face Spurs on December 20 before jetting off to Morocco, depending on the crunch talks with the Egyptian FA.
Semenyo can play across the front three but he has been most potent from right-wing where he has scored 11 goals in 36 appearances.
The attacker is just eight appearances shy of a century of outings in England's top-flight, where he has 26 goals and 12 assists since signing from Bristol City in 2023. The 25-year-old is a Ghana international but will not be at this winter's AFCON after they failed to qualify for the tournament.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.