**Liverpool need competition for Cody Gakpo and have identified Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as their top target ahead of the January transfer window.**
Selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich was a risky move for Liverpool, leaving Cody Gakpo as their only senior option at left wing.
The Dutchman has been good at times, but the lack of competition means that when he is playing poorly, Arne Slot’s only real option is to persist with him.
Before the season started, it was widely reported that Rio Ngumoha would be entrusted to play a major role in competing for a starting role. The 17-year-old, however, is not ready to play regular football at senior level.
With this in mind, the need to sign Semenyo is greater than ever.
Semenyo wants Liverpool above before Premier League rivals
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Liverpool are eyeing Semenyo up this January transfer window but despite strong interest from a host of Premier League clubs, he prefers to join the Reds, [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/antoine-semenyo-transfer-news-star-chooses-liverpool-man-utd-man-city-bournemouth-replacement-sources) reports.
It’s reported that Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City are all seriously interested in Semenyo, who has six goals and three assists in the league this season, but the Ghanaian would prefer to move to Anfield if given the choice.
When the clocks tick over into 2026, Semenyo’s release clause worth £65m will come into play. The benefit of a release clause is that, if triggered, the selling club has no power to deny the player his transfer.
Of course, the downside is that there can be no negotiations over the price.
Semenyo wants Liverpool and if Liverpool want him, they know what they must do. TEAMtalk’s report states that while the 25-year-old would be willing to join another club, he wants the Reds as his first choice.
Bournemouth, for their part, have already begun looking at potential replacements and have identified Ipswich Town’s Jaden Philogene as a strong candidate.
As an afterthought, the report adds that if they don’t sign Semenyo, they could pursue Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who, with just 482 minutes this season, needs game time if he is to make his way into the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.