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As the January transfer window approaches, Liverpool are serious suitors for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. DaveOCKOP already exclusively reported that the Reds have held positive exploratory talks with Bournemouth over the signing.
Semenyo put pen to paper on fresh terms at the Vitality Stadium in July, with the deal featuring a £60 million release clause plus a further £5 million in add-ons that can be triggered during the January window. The clause is understood to drop to around £50 million if any move is delayed until the summer window.
The interest comes at a crucial juncture for the Anfield club, with ongoing uncertainties surrounding Mohamed Salah’s long-term future and the potential need for reinforcements in the wide attacking positions. Now Sami Mokbel of the BBC has given an update on the lay of the land regarding Semenyo.
The reliable reporter asserted that the Cherries attacker’s future “will come in to focus next month”, and revealed that Liverpool could move fast in January to fend off competition:
“Salah is 33 and Liverpool are acutely aware that they need a plan in place for when he leaves,” he wrote. “Financially it would be less of a strain if they signed Semenyo in the same window that Salah departs.”
“Given the current state of play, that may well be possible in January. That said, Liverpool will also realise that given Semenyo’s release clause, they have to be prepared to move immediately given the concrete interest in the forward from elsewhere.”
However, the report adds that it is not a guarantee that Semenyo even departs in the winter window:
“But the option of staying on the south coast until the end of the season and starting afresh with his new team-mates after the World Cup is an outcome that shouldn’t be discounted.”
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