Liverpool have reportedly identified Antoine Semenyo as a primary target for the upcoming January transfer window, with the Bournemouth forward emerging as the leading candidate to succeed Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
The situation on Merseyside has become increasingly precarious following Salah’s recent public outburst regarding his future, forcing the Reds to accelerate their succession plans. According to a new report from The Sun, Semenyo is firmly on the radar of the Premier League elite, and the player himself is said to favour a move to Liverpool, Arsenal, or Manchester City over other suitors.
The £65m Race Against Time
The urgency of the deal is dictated by a specific contract stipulation. Semenyo, who signed fresh terms with the Cherries in July 2025, has a release clause set at £65 million. However, this clause is time-sensitive and is reportedly only valid until January 10. After this date, Bournemouth would be free to demand a significantly higher fee or block a move entirely until the summer, when the clause reportedly drops by £5 million.
For Liverpool, the price tag represents a significant investment, but one that could be necessary given the looming void on their right flank. The Ghanaian international has been in electric form on the South Coast, netting six goals and providing three assists in the Premier League this season. His explosive pace, physical durability, and ability to cut inside onto his left foot make him a statistical and stylistic fit for the heavy-metal football favoured at Anfield.
Spurs Snubbed as Top Dogs Circle
While Liverpool plot their move, the news comes as a bitter blow to Tottenham Hotspur. The North London club, currently managed by Thomas Frank, have been tracking Semenyo extensively as they look to solve a problem position on the left wing. Following the departure of club legend Son Heung-min to LAFC in the summer, Frank has struggled to find a consistent replacement, rotating between Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, and even Randal Kolo Muani without success.
However, reports suggest Semenyo is hesitant to join Tottenham. This mirrors the frustration Spurs faced in the summer of 2025, where they lost out on Eberechi Eze to arch-rivals Arsenal despite appearing to be front-runners. The allure of Champions League certainties like Liverpool and Manchester City appears to hold more weight for the 25-year-old winger at this stage of his career.
The Salah Succession Plan
The links to Semenyo cannot be viewed in isolation from the Mohamed Salah situation. The Egyptian King’s future has dominated headlines this week, with growing speculation that the Saudi Pro League could finally land their long-term target. If Liverpool sanction a departure for their talisman—either in January or agreed for the summer—they need a player ready to step in immediately.
Semenyo offers a different profile to Salah; he is less of a pure volume goalscorer and more of a chaotic, driving force who creates space for others. Yet, at 25, he is entering his prime years. His development at Bournemouth suggests he has the ceiling to explode in output if surrounded by world-class talent like Darwin Nunez or Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool recruitment chiefs are known for their data-driven approach, and Semenyo’s underlying numbers for progressive carries and shot-creating actions will likely have flagged him as a high-potential asset. The fact that he is seemingly "tempted" by the prospect of an Anfield switch puts the Reds in the driving seat, provided they are willing to meet that £65 million threshold before the second week of January.
What Happens Next?
With the January window fast approaching, the poker game is about to begin. Bournemouth will be desperate to keep their star man as they aim to consolidate their league position, but the existence of the release clause takes the decision out of their hands. Liverpool must now decide if Semenyo is the definitive answer to life after Salah. If they hesitate, they risk allowing Arsenal or Manchester City to swoop, or worse, facing a bidding war in the summer when the player’s stock may have risen even further. The clock is ticking toward that January 10 deadline.