Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo for several months now but are at risk of losing the race to Manchester United.
For all their attacking quality and money spent in the summer transfer window, manager Arne Slot is still short on attacking depth after Luis Diaz moved to Bayern Munich in the summer.
The Colombian was a vital member of the team that won the Premier League last season but wasn’t replaced after his Bundesliga move.
Cody Gakpo is now Liverpool’s only left winger and would flourish with competition for a starting role.
Many believe Semenyo will be that player, especially as Ghana did not qualify for the AFCON and so he will be in England while the likes of Mohamed Salah jet off to the tournament.
Manchester United is Antoine Semenyo’s preferred destination
Previous reports named Liverpool as Semenyo’s preference but a new claim suggests he wants to join United instead.
According to journalist Miguel Delaney, Liverpool are at risk of losing out wqith United believed to be confident about their chances of pipping the Reds to Semenyo’s signature.
His contract includes a £65million release clause which becomes active on New Year’s Day. Semenyo is one of the most exciting forwards in the Premier League, with seven goals and three assists this season.
Not only would signing Semenyo bring the best out of Gakpo, he is more than good enough to start alongside Salah and one of Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak.
Manchester United can embarrass Liverpool further
Liverpool are going through a tough season. Results have not been kind to them, and they find themselves below United, albeit on goal difference.
Losing out on Semenyo to United would be a further embarrassment and not one they can afford unless there is a better replacement lined up.
That said, there aren’t many top forwards available in the January transfer window so failing to sign Semenyo might mean having to wait until the end of the season.
Liverpool mustn’t panic if they do fail to sign the Ghanaian, but he really is a player that Slot needs, even if signing a centre-back is a bigger priority.