Antoine Semenyo 'perfect' for Liverpool as transfer disagreement emerges amid Man City development

Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a move to Liverpool in January, although Manchester City now looks to have taken the lead in the race for the Bournemouth star's signature

Antoine Semenyo reportedly favors a move to Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

Antoine Semenyo appears destined for Manchester City – and Stephen Warnock reckons that might actually work in Liverpool's favor.

City have emerged as frontrunners to snap up Semenyo after Chelsea's interest in the Bournemouth winger went cold. The Ghana international has also been touted with a switch to Anfield in recent months. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were similarly keen on securing the 25-year-old, who has an $87 million (£65M) release clause in his Bournemouth deal that kicks in next month.

Semenyo is versatile enough to operate as a striker or on either flank and has netted 19 league goals over two full seasons since his move from Bristol City to Bournemouth in 2023.

However, former Liverpool defender Warnock has raised doubts about whether a transfer to Anfield would represent too significant a leap for Semenyo, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"I think they eventually have to find someone on that right hand side," Warnock told aceodds.com. "Semenyo has been mentioned as a player who potentially could be that player.

"There is a difference between playing for Bournemouth and Liverpool. We have seen it with Milos Kerkez as well, that was the same scenario.

Milos Kerkez of Liverpool fouls Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth during the Premier League match at Anfield on August 15 2025(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

"He is the perfect case to look at when it comes to the person and the pressure to be at Liverpool. I like Semenyo. I think he is a brilliant player and I think he is very capable.

"But do we know whether he could cope with playing in a Liverpool shirt and providing goals and assists week in week out?

"Before the match against Man United, he had played seven matches without scoring. If he went seven matches without scoring for Liverpool, things would be a lot different.

"There would be a pressure on him, especially with the money he would cost. It might be something he embraces, it might be a challenge that would excite him. Maybe he would enjoy that pressure and thrive under that pressure.

"I like him and he is physically outstanding. I think he suits the Premier League. One thing you have to look at when finding a new player is how quickly he can adapt to the Premier League, and he already knows the Premier League. Everything will just be about how he can adapt playing for Liverpool."

However, Jermaine Jenas, a former Premier League star, disagrees with Warnock's assessment, arguing earlier this week that Liverpool would be an ideal fit for Semenyo.

Antoine Semenyo looks likely to leave Boournemouth during the January transfer window(Image: (PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images))

"Semenyo would be perfect for Liverpool. More than replacing a potential Mo Salah departure, I think it's addressing Luis Diaz's exit," he shared with 10bet.

"I think Cody Gakpo is a little bit predictable at times and I think someone with a little bit more of a dynamic edge to them down that left-hand side would be good.

"I also think Spurs would be another good option for Semenyo. But then, who else have you got? He's not going to go to Chelsea, he's not going to go to Manchester City.

"So yeah, I think Liverpool and Spurs are probably the two best options, you know, for him to be looking at."