Antoine Semenyo is expected to be at the centre of significant transfer interest this January, with Liverpool among the clubs monitoring the Bournemouth forward ahead of the activation of his £65 million release clause. Telegraph Sport reports that Bournemouth are braced for official bids when the mid-season window opens in five weeks’ time, latest Semenyo transfer odds.
The clause, which is only active for a set period in January, has not been fully disclosed in terms of payment structure, leaving uncertainty over whether the fee must be paid upfront or in instalments. Even so, the figure is viewed by several Premier League sides as relatively modest for a 25-year-old forward who has been one of Bournemouth’s standout performers.
Semenyo’s reputation has surged following his impressive start to the season. The Ghana international has scored six goals so far, including a memorable brace at Anfield on the opening weekend — a performance that left a strong impression on Liverpool’s recruitment team, check latest Liverpool manager odds here. His physicality, press resistance and ability to attack space have marked him out as one of the league’s most dynamic forwards.
He is well known at Anfield for another reason: Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw Semenyo’s signing at Bournemouth in 2023, when the Cherries beat Crystal Palace to his signature in a £10 million deal from Bristol City. That previous connection is understood to be one factor behind Liverpool’s interest, even after a summer in which the club spent more than £400 million and broke the Premier League transfer record to land Alexander Isak.
Liverpool also added Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to strengthen their attacking options, but the club continues to assess opportunities to future-proof the frontline under Arne Slot. Semenyo’s profile — direct, powerful, tactically flexible — has kept him firmly on their radar.
Admiration for the forward extends beyond Liverpool. Clubs across Europe have tracked his development, and Pep Guardiola recently described Semenyo as an “extraordinary” player ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Manchester City. With AFC Bournemouth preparing for possible bids, the expectation internally is that Semenyo will attract multiple serious approaches once the clause becomes active.
An added advantage for potential suitors is that Semenyo will not be involved in the African Cup of Nations this winter, with Ghana failing to qualify. His full availability during January is viewed as a key factor for clubs wanting immediate impact and continuity through a congested fixture period.
Telegraph Sport also revealed that Semenyo rejected £50 million moves to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the year before agreeing a new five-year contract at the Vitality Stadium. The deal included a pay rise but only after Bournemouth agreed to insert a specific release clause — something Semenyo insisted upon before signing.
The clause will reportedly drop slightly next summer, though not below the ÂŁ50 million bids Bournemouth turned down at the start of the last window, ensuring that January represents the most straightforward opportunity for rival clubs to secure his signature.
With Bournemouth preparing contingency plans and Liverpool monitoring developments closely, Semenyo’s situation is poised to become one of the early storylines of the upcoming transfer window. Whether the Reds choose to trigger the clause remains to be seen, but interest in the forward is expected to intensify rapidly as January approaches.
