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It's believed that Liverpool is making significant moves to secure Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo's signature when the January transfer window opens, with initial discussions already taking place regarding a substantial fee.
The Reds have held "concrete talks" about bringing in the forward during the winter window as they struggle in the Premier League.
Liverpool invested around $600 million in new players - including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz - during the summer, yet has endured a difficult spell with six defeats in its previous seven league games. Further investment appears inevitable in January, as the Reds look to salvage their campaign.
While Bournemouth star Semenyo is tied down until 2030, he possesses a release clause valued at up to £65 million ($85.3 million), which becomes active in January, following his contract extension at the close of last season.
Liverpool is keen on triggering that release clause, according to Sky.
The Anfield outfit will encounter competition from Manchester United, while Manchester City is also monitoring developments. The forward is understood to have previously held discussions with Ruben Amorim prior to committing his future to the Cherries.
Semenyo has already netted six times and provided three assists across 11 appearances this campaign, but he was absent for Bournemouth's stalemate with West Ham at the weekend. The forward's impressive performances will appeal to a Liverpool team languishing in 12th position, having managed just two goals in its last three outings.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is reluctant to discuss the possibility of Semenyo's departure for now, however. "We are in November," he commented last week.
"Antoine is our player. He will continue being our player.
"In January, you can ask me about the market in January, but right now I'm not worried about the next markets.
"It's something that especially you know that I hate to talk about in August, January, the moments when the market is open, but it is not one of those moments.
"It's November. I'm more worried about the situation of the players to play tomorrow, the short-term, the things that really matter and in January, we will talk about whatever happens, the players we need. But it is not something that I'm worried about today."
Semenyo stated recently that he's doing his best to block out speculation about what lies ahead.
He said: "I don't think about it too much. I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused."
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