Liverpool have been linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo.placeholder image
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo. | Getty Images
Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs linked with Antoine Semenyo.
AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola says it is not a ‘big secret’ that Antoine Semenyo could leave the club in the coming weeks.
The forward was on target for the Cherries in their 1-1 draw against Burnley. Semenyo’s strike moved his tally to eight goals in the Premier League campaign, while he has recorded three assists.
On 1 January, the Ghana international has a release clause of £65 million that is able to be activated. Given his form in the campaign, and the hurtling progress he has made since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City, he is a player set to be in demand. Several top Premier League clubs have been linked including Premier League champions Liverpool and Manchester City.
Asked about Semenyo’s future after the Burnley game and the rumours swirling ahead of the transfer window opening in less than two weeks’ time, Iraola told BBC Sport: "He is a massive player for us. It is not a big secret.”
According to The Guardian, Liverpool are Semenyo’s preferred club if he is to leave Bournemouth, with Man City currently second in the pecking order and the Reds’ fierce foes Manchester United in third spot.
Liverpool could look to dip into the January transfer market if they feel that there is an opportunity worth taking - having done so with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.
Despite spending circa £450 million in the summer transfer window, Arne Slot’s squad are perhaps a winger short after selling Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65 million and not bringing in a replacement.
Mo Salah is currently representing Egypt at the African Cup of Nations and could be unavailable for the next month, while there are doubts over his future after his public outburst towards Liverpool and head coach Slot. Regardless, the Reds will eventually require a long-term successor for Salah, who is aged 33 and his current contract expires in 2027.
Slot has been reluctant to start Federico Chiesa in the Premier League while there is still some uncertainty around Jeremie Frimpong’s best position after his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen for £29 million.
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