Late Liverpool and Antoine Semenyo transfer twist emerges despite Man City status

Antoine Semenyo is a player in demand heading into the January transfer window, and although Manchester City appears to have won the race, Liverpool could still have a say

Antoine Semenyo remains a player in demand(Image: 2025 Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth)

Liverpool could challenge Manchester City to sign Antoine Semenyo during the January transfer window.

Last week, it appeared as though City had won the race to sign the Ghana international, who has been among the Premier League's top performers this season. However, Semenyo's move to City may not be the done deal that it seemed just a few days ago, with Liverpool remaining among the admirers of the 25-year-old, according to The Telegraph.

A £65 million ($88 million) release clause in Semenyo's Bournemouth contract will become active on New Year's Day, and remains active until January 10.

The deadline on the release clause was inserted so that Bournemouth would have time to replace Semenyo were he to leave in the first few days of January.

Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes worked with Semenyo when the pair were at Bournemouth together, and is well aware of the quality the forward possesses.

Liverpool spent a huge sum of money during the summer transfer window, but also brought in a significant amount through player sales, so it is not necessarily the case that the Reds will be hamstrung in the January window due to their activity in the off-season.

The addition of Semenyo to Liverpool's squad would be a welcome one at the moment considering the selection issues currently facing Arne Slot.

Alexander Isak is sidelined with a broken leg, while Mohamed Salah is at the Africa Cup of Nations and his long-term future at Anfield remains uncertain.

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola was asked after his team's loss to Brentford on Saturday whether he would prefer for the deal to be completed soon after the transfer window opens, but responded: "No, the more games Antoine can play for us, [the better].

Semenyo has scored nine Premier League goals this season(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

"If he can play years for us, it's much better! If it cannot be years, it can be months. If he can only play weeks, it is weeks but the more time he plays with us, the better for us.

"Antoine's situation is quite clear. Antoine is a massive player for us and even in games like today where probably he hasn't played well, he is always a threat to score and assist.

"Obviously I don't want to lose him. This is quite clear, but there are some situations that are not under my control. He will be available to play again in three days [versus Chelsea] and then the next one and I hope he plays a lot more with us."

In contrast to The Telegraph's report about Liverpool potentially hijacking City's move for Semenyo, talkSPORT says that City is expected to get the deal over the line, in a move that could be bad news for 22-year-old City forward Oscar Bobb, who is a target for Fulham and Crystal Palace.