Antoine Semenyo is of known interest to Liverpool heading into the January transfer window, with a move for the Bournemouth winger “in the offing” for months.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Semenyo of course predates any issues with Mohamed Salah, who could be on the brink of an exit following his criticism of Arne Slot and the club.
According to BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel, “as early as October, well-placed sources [shared] that a Liverpool move for Semenyo was in the offing.”
That would be as little as a month on from deadline day, with the club having repeated their reluctance to sign another winger in order to clear Rio Ngumoha‘s pathway.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 6, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah wearing a brown Bottega Veneta bag arrives before the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Liverpool FC at Elland Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Of course those within Liverpool will not have been aware that the current situation regarding Salah could unfold, with the Egyptian having entered the first of two years on the new contract signed in April.
Regardless, the club are “acutely aware that they need a plan in place for when [Salah] leaves,” which could now come as early as next month.
Semenyo is available for a release clause of £65 million in the first two weeks of January, with Man City and Tottenham also credited with a “genuine interest.”
Why Liverpool may prefer to sell Salah, sign Semenyo in January
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo during a pre-season friendly match at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday August 9, 2025.
The presence of Semenyo’s release clause creates urgency around the situation, with Liverpool knowing they need to act fast to fend off competition from their Premier League rivals.
This may be aided by a conclusion to the Salah saga, for better or worse – particularly as Mokbel explains that there would be “less of a strain” in terms of finances if both proposed transfers took place in the same window.
Liverpool’s accounts could effectively be balanced by selling Salah and signing Semenyo before the financial year ends – meaning less impact on any plans for the summer.
Semenyo has been touted as a long-term replacement for Liverpool’s No. 11, who regardless of any decision over his future will miss up to eight games while away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In an ideal world, Slot would be able to call upon both, given the clear need for further reinforcement in the wide areas without any further sales.
But knowing Salah’s feelings on a reduced role at any point in his Liverpool career may accelerate the situation, with the club already having conducted their due diligence over a deal for Semenyo.