2 weeks ago
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Amid transfer links with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool has been told that the 25-year-old would be a perfect signing in 2026.
Mohamed Salah has been struggling for form in the opening weeks of the new season — though he only has one fewer goal and the same number of assists in all competitions as Semenyo — and Liverpool will, at some point, reluctantly face up to the need to replace the Egyptian.
Semenyo, who can play on both flanks, has been put forward as one option to do just that. It is thought that he has a release clause worth $85 million (£65 million) that will come into effect in the new year.
"I don't think there is anyone in the football world who doesn't want this guy," former Liverpool star Steve Nicol said on ESPN. "I'll have him today and twice on Sunday.
"They need somebody. If it's Semenyo, then fantastic because the guy is absolutely dynamite.
"If it's not him, then, for Liverpool, it's going to have to be somebody else. If Liverpool want to win the title, then in the January window, they are going to have to make a move."
"I would be so delighted," ex-Chelsea center-back Frank Leboeuf added. "Every game I saw him playing, he has been absolutely tremendous and has had a great impact.
"The power he is showing and the finesse is amazing. His involvement to the team is huge.
"We have seen that at Bournemouth, and I'm sure we will see that at any club he's going to sign. He is strong, powerful, quick and technical. That would be a huge signing."
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"Antoine has been amazing this season," Bournemouth managing director Tiago Pinto told talkSPORT last month.
"I think he's a lovely player, a lovely boy. For us, it was amazing to feel that he would be happy to stay one more season, even if other clubs were around him.
"I think he scored eight or nine goals this season, so we couldn't be more happy."
Liverpool.com says: Semenyo has been in good form but to replace Salah in the long-term, his scoring rate would have to increase. He has talent, but Liverpool will have to assess whether he has the capacity go up another level.
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