An Arsenal legend has been having the say on who, other than Liverpool, will be interested in flying Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth is expected to be in demand in the January transfer window
Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth is expected to be in demand in the January transfer window
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A former Arsenal great believes Antoine Semenyo may have more suitors than just Liverpool. The list of players in the Premier League that have more combined goals and assists this season than the in-demand Bournemouth winger begins and ends with Erling Haaland.
And with January’s transfer window rapidly approaching and Liverpool’s form in need of a lift, reports have suggested that the defending champions are looking to add the Ghanaian forward to their list of attacking options.
But Alan Smith believes his former club Arsenal, who lead the way in the Premier League, should be contesting their title rivals for Semenyo's signature.
"It’s take your pick for who will be after him," said the Sky Sports pundit, who won the 1989 and 1991 First Division championships with the Gunners. "I think all the top clubs would be involved here and abroad because he’s such a fine player.
"He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s so skilful, he’s consistent as well, he’s adaptable, and can play on both sides. So, you could put him anywhere.
"Liverpool, with Mo Salah showing signs of slowing down, he’d be a sensation on the right-hand side for them, but he can play on the left. Man City will be having a look. They all would.
"Maybe Arsenal, well, with (Bukayo) Saka and (Noni) Madueke, would they go for Semenyo? But as I say, he could play on the left.
"That £65m release clause - it’s going to be a snip for somebody like him these days. So it’d be a real scrap, I think, to get hold of his services."
After a flying start to the season - in terms of points if not necessarily performances - the Reds have struggled of late, winning just one of their last six Premier League games.
That means they sit eighth in the table, eight points behind table-topping Arsenal, and level with Semenyo's Bournemouth.
But despite that poor run of form, Smith believes Arne Slot's side will get back to winning ways this weekend when they host 19th-placed Nottingham Forest, who are now managed by former Everton boss Sean Dyche.
"Sean Dyche has done very well in the last two games," the two-time First Division Golden Boot winner wrote in his BestBettingSites.co.uk column.
"He seems to have rejuvenated Morgan Gibbs-White, who’s been on the score sheet. I still see it as a tough one, though, for Forest.
"Liverpool have lost five of the last six, but at home here, after the international break, I’ve got them down as 2-1 winners."
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