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Liverpool's pursuit of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo has received a boost, with reports suggesting that the Cherries have 'reluctantly accepted' his departure.
The Reds are among several Premier League clubs linked with the 25-year-old, who has become a key player in Andoni Iraola's side. The Athletic reports that the South Coast club believe they can't prevent a departure as early as the upcoming January transfer window.
It's suggested that a winter sale will be approved for £65 million ($85.5M), but the release clause must be met by a specific date to allow Bournemouth to sign a replacement.
Sky Sports also report that Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, who failed to sign him last summer, along with Liverpool, are keeping an eye on the forward's future ahead of the window re-opening on Jan. 1.
Despite interest last summer, Semenyo signed a new five-year deal at the Vitality Stadium. The Reds are already familiar with his talents after he scored twice against them during their thrilling opening day win over Bournemouth.
He netted twice as the Cherries came back from a two-goal deficit before Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah scored to secure the game for the visitors.
Arne Slot could face a potential dilemma in the coming weeks with Salah set to join his Pharaohs teammate at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Liverpool, currently eighth in the Premier League and trailing leaders Arsenal by eight points, may have to cope without their star striker for as many as eight matches due to ongoing discussions with the Egypt Football Association.
Its campaign kicks off on Dec. 22 against Zimbabwe, but they might want Salah to join his teammates for their warm-up games. Depending on Egypt's performance in the tournament, the 33-year-old could miss six games, including the round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and either the final or third-place playoff scheduled between Jan. 3 and Jan. 18.
This could see him absent for games against Leeds (H - Jan. 1), Fulham (A - Jan. 4), Arsenal (A - Jan. 8), FA Cup third round (9/10/11 January) and Burnley (H - Jan. 17).
As things stand, Salah is set to play against Spurs on Dec. 20 before flying out to Morocco, subject to the outcome of crucial talks with the Egyptian FA.
Semenyo can operate anywhere across the front three, but he has been most effective from the right wing, netting 11 goals in 36 appearances.
The forward is just eight games away from reaching a hundred top-flight appearances in England, having scored 26 goals and provided 12 assists since his move from Bristol City in 2023. A Ghana international, he will not be participating in this winter's AFCON after his nation failed to qualify for the tournament.
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