Liverpool have been linked with a move for Antoine Semenyoplaceholder image
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo | Getty Images
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is attracting interest from a number of top clubs, including defending champions Liverpool
After a thunderous start to the season, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has very much cemented his status as one of the most in-demand footballers on the planet heading into the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old boasts a record of six goals and three assists from 14 Premier League outings for the Cherries and has been a standout performer for Andoni Iraola’s side since signing his contract extension over the summer.
Semenyo has terrorised defences this season with his electric pace, incredible agility and formidable finishing in and around the opposition’s penalty area. He’s wanted by some of the biggest clubs on the planet including defending champions Liverpool, who are currently in the middle of a transitional period under Arne Slot, that could potentially result in the high-profile departure of club icon Mohamed Salah.
Salah played at the weekend against Brighton for the first time since publicly slating the football club for ‘throwing him under the bus’ while suggesting that the relationship between himself and the manager had broken down. He was told to stay at home for the Champions League win over Real Madrid, but was able to etch his name further into the Anfield history books with an assist in the 2-0 win over Brighton - meaning he now has more goal contributions for a single club than any other player in Premier League history with 277 in total.
Nevertheless, the 33-year-old’s future as a Liverpool player still remains very much up in the air heading into the January window as speculation surrounding a move to Saudi Arabia continues to intensify.
Salah’s potential exit would leave a huge void in Liverpool’s attack, but is there any substance to claims that Semenyo could arrive to replace him in the near future?
Fabrizio Romano comments on Antoine Semenyo to Liverpool speculation
Well-renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are interested in Semenyo and says he’s anticipating a huge race for the Ghanian international’s signature in January.
Semenyo, who is under contract until June 2030, recently signed an extension with the Cherries over the summer, but that deal crucially includes a release clause believed to be somewhere within the region of £65m, allowing top clubs to capitalise.
Liverpool face strong competition for blockbuster Antoine Semenyo deal
According to BBC Sport, Liverpool could face competition from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to sign Semenyo in January.
Barring a shock, it seems inevitable Semenyo now leaves this winter or at the latest in the summer window when his release fee is understood to reduce even further.
Liverpool’s interest in Semenyo is likely to rest on what happens with Salah. The Egyptian is already unsettled over a lack of first team minutes and the signing of Semenyo would only further amplify those problems unless Slot finds a way to fit both into the same team.
It’s not quite as clear where Semenyo would fit into Pep Guardiola’s system given the high number of attacking players he already has at his disposal, but there have been indications in recent weeks that City's interest in Semenyo is solid as January approaches.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are hoping to bring in a real big name signing to rejuvenate their attack and give fans reason for optimism after an underwhelming start to the campaign.
They don’t currently have the status of a Liverpool or Manchester City, but do have ambitions of getting to that level in the near future and could potentially make Semenyo the main focal point in their frontline.
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