Antoine Semenyo told 'perfect' transfer option as Liverpool handed alternative Jurgen Klopp loved

Antoine Semenyo has been described as the "perfect" January signing for Liverpool, but an alternative has been suggested if the Reds are unable to land the Bournemouth forward

Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Former Premier League midfielder Jermaine Jenas said that Antoine Semenyo would be the "perfect" January signing for Liverpool.

Semenyo has been one of the Premier League's best players this season, registering eight goals and three assists for Bournemouth in the top flight. His form has alerted a number of top clubs going into the January transfer window, when a £65 million ($87 million) release clause in his contract will be active.

Mohamed Salah's apparent decline has intensified Liverpool's need for a new wide forward, while the suspected broken leg suffered by Alexander Isak over the weekend could make a move for Semenyo even more appealing than it already was.

Bournemouth will understandably be keen to keep hold of Semenyo until the end of the season – when his release clause will drop to a lower amount – but Jenas has talked up the prospect of a mid-season move for the 25-year-old.

Asked whether there is a club that Semenyo would be perfect for, Jenas responded: "Liverpool. Semenyo would be perfect for Liverpool.

"More than replacing a potential Mo Salah departure, I think it's addressing Luis Diaz's exit. 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."

As for alternatives to Semenyo, Jenas suggested West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen – who Jurgen Klopp described as "probably my favorite player" a couple of years ago.

Jenas suggested Jarrod Bowen as an alternative to Semenyo(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

"I mean Liverpool, the one I think that stands out for me is Jarrod Bowen to go there in place of Salah. I think that's a more natural fit," Jenas added.

"I still can't believe they didn't go and get Olise when he was available at Palace. But you know they obviously felt with Salah they were going to get at least two, three more years out of him which doesn't look like it's going to be the case."

Despite Salah's struggles this term, Jenas does not think the Egyptian will leave Liverpool during the January transfer window.

"I think it'll be the summer [when Salah leaves] unless the Saudis come with some absolutely ridiculous offer," Jenas said. "I think it'll be the summer because January moves can be strange. There's a lot of panic going on. There's a lot of uncertainty going on. So unless there is a kind of a big merry-go-round, because you still have to replace that player, it’s unlikely.

"Remember it's all well and good saying the Saudis are going to pay £100 million for Mo Salah. You've still got to replace him. So it makes things very difficult. So I think the summer seems more realistic to replace a player like Salah."