The Athletic has revealed a fresh report on Liverpool’s reported interest in Antoine Semenyo
Richard Hughes has left Liverpool. The club confirmed on September 5 that their sporting director had stepped down after just over two years in the job.
Hughes joined Anfield from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, working alongside Michael Edwards as part of Fenway Sports Group’s restructuring of football operations.
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His exit follows Edwards’ own departure as FSG’s chief executive of football earlier this year, and comes as Liverpool begin the search for a new sporting director.
Hughes oversaw a Premier League title in 2025 and helped appoint both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola as head coach during his time at the club.
Now, a report from The Athletic examining Hughes’ tenure has revealed a transfer recommendation that went unheeded, one Liverpool may come to regret.
According to The Athletic, Hughes urged Liverpool’s hierarchy to sign Antoine Semenyo for £60 million in January 2026, while the forward still held a release clause at his former club Bournemouth.
Hughes, who worked at Bournemouth before joining Liverpool, knew Semenyo well from his time there.
The report states Hughes viewed Semenyo as a ready-made replacement for Mohamed Salah, whose future at Liverpool had become uncertain. Liverpool did not act on the recommendation.
The club instead waited for clarity on Salah’s situation. Semenyo went on to join Manchester City.
Semenyo has since established himself at City, scoring 11 goals in 32 appearances since his arrival. His goals have included the winning strike against Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup final.
Liverpool’s interest in Semenyo had been known for some time. Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea had also registered interest in the forward while he was still at Bournemouth.
The Antoine Semenyo episode adds detail to the broader picture of Hughes’ departure.
Liverpool are still searching for a replacement for Salah and were linked with moves for Yankubah Minteh and Ismaila Sarr in the summer.
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