Simon Jordan reckons a potential Liverpool pursuit of Antoine Semenyo may prove more complicated than many might assume, despite news of an $85 million (£65 million) release clause being written into his contract.
The in-form Bournemouth winger could have left during the summer with interest from Manchester United and Spurs. However, he stayed put and penned new terms, with a clause that becomes active in January. Liverpool is among the teams to have been linked with the Ghana international, who has impressed in the Premier League this season with six goals and three assists.
The Reds invested around $600M on new signings in the summer, while recouping around half of that back through sales, but are being tipped to strengthen their squad further when the transfer window reopens.
However, former Crystal Palace owner Jordan said on talkSPORT: "It's interesting. Semenyo had trials at Palace when he was 15 and they didn't want him. He was there for eight weeks and didn't want him.
"Listen, because he has got a £65M release clause, don't assume that is a straightforward done deal in terms of being able to meet it because there will be other caveats attached to it.
"There may well be payment terms that immediately drive the price of £65 million straight on the table. There may be other conditions of a top-six side that buys the player.
"It might not just be the £65 million and it might not be quite as appealing to Liverpool given the fact, and I've defended this against the onslaught of observations of how much they spent, but they did spend £400-500 million in the window just gone."
Antoine Semenyo celebrates after scoring for Bournemouth against Leeds United.
Antoine Semenyo celebrates after scoring for Bournemouth against Leeds United. (Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City are also thought to be keeping tabs on Semenyo. He is almost certain to move on at some point next year.
Graeme Souness, the legendary former Liverpool player and manager, is also a fan of the 25-year-old, who began his career at Bristol City after unsuccessful trials at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Palace.
Jordan explained: "I've liked this player for two or three years and had chats with Graeme Souness, who lives down that neck of the woods and watches them regularly. He is some player."
Liverpool also continues to show interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose $46 million (£35 million) transfer to Anfield fell through on deadline day in September.
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With only three fit and available center-backs, Arne Slot, the Liverpool head coach, was questioned about a renewed bid for Guehi during his press conference on Friday.
Given Guehi's indication that he will not extend his contract, which expires next summer, the Eagles may be forced to sell him in January.
However, Slot responded: "I wasn't expecting to talk about signings. There are so many games to be played before that, and the position we are in, it's the last thing on my mind. It's not a topic for me at all at the moment.
"We have at the moment of time three center-backs, maybe Ryan (Gravenberch) and Wata (Wataru Endo) who can play there. We have other positions there which are bit more of an issue."
Liverpool.com says: Semenyo will have plenty of clubs in for him during 2026, whether that is in January or the summer. A fixed price to sign him makes things much easier, though his goal output would have to increase even further at Liverpool.