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Liverpool fans will be keeping an eye on the fortunes of their star winger during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as Mohamed Salah hopes to lead Egypt to its first piece of silverware since 2010.
But Reds will also be watching the movements of another wide attacker in January, who could have been involved in the tournament.
London-born Antoine Semenyo declared for Ghana in 2022 and has been a regular for the Black Stars since, earning 32 caps. He played in Ghana’s disastrous AFCON qualification group, which ended with one of Africa’s most successful soccer nations failing to win a single match.
As a result, it will not be involved in the competition, which begins in Morocco this weekend. That means Semenyo will be based in England for the entirety of January.
That could prove beneficial for the Bournemouth star’s chances of sealing a mid-season transfer.
Liverpool is among the sides monitoring the 25-year-old, who reportedly has a £65million ($87M) release clause in his contract.
TalkSPORT claimed this week that Semenyo is “calm about his future”, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal also keen on the Ghanaian international.
The winger signed a new contract in the summer after Bournemouth allowed several key players to depart, and he has continued his excellent form this season.
Semenyo has scored seven goals and provided three assists in the Premier League so far, but managed nine goal contributions in the first seven matches of the campaign.
The former Bristol City man was on target again in Monday’s chaotic 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, ending a run of six appearances without a goal.
Liverpool was linked with a move for Semenyo last summer, but a deal never looked close. His potential January arrival would help solve Arne Slot’s selection issues on the right wing, with Dominik Szoboszlai regularly deployed in that role over recent weeks.
With the Liverpool no.8 an injury doubt for this weekend’s game against Tottenham Hotspur, Salah at AFCON and Federico Chiesa still not trusted to start Premier League games, it’s an area of the team that is becoming increasingly problematic.
Meanwhile, despite Ghana’s inability to secure qualification for AFCON, it will be involved in next summer’s World Cup and has been drawn in a group alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
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