Report: Liverpool have joined the race to sign dream £75m January target | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Antoine Semenyo as Salah Successor

Liverpool have entered the race for Bournemouth’s in-form winger Antoine Semenyo, with growing belief that the Ghanaian could emerge as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. According to a report from iNews’ Mark Douglas, the Premier League champions are seriously considering a January approach, particularly as Salah continues to struggle for consistency.

Rising Star Catching Elite Eyes

Semenyo’s start to the 2025–26 campaign has been electric, scoring six goals in eight matches under Andoni Iraola. His direct style, pace and finishing have drawn comparisons to early-career Sadio Mané, and Liverpool’s recruitment team have been tracking him closely since his Bristol City days.

“Liverpool have joined the crop of clubs interested in the right-sided forward,” Douglas revealed, adding that the Reds’ admiration is “long-term.” With Salah set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations later this year and his form waning, Arne Slot’s side may act sooner rather than later.

Photo: IMAGO

Financial Scope for a Major Deal

Liverpool spent nearly £450 million during the summer window refreshing their forward options, yet reports suggest they retain spending headroom under Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations. “They still have headroom to spend again,” the iNews piece stated, due to significant player sales including Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz.

This flexibility could prove key, as Bournemouth inserted a release clause into Semenyo’s recent contract extension. The figure is believed to be lower than the £100 million once rumoured, with last summer’s valuation around £75 million. That level of investment would place Semenyo among Liverpool’s top ten record signings, but the club’s hierarchy view him as a player for the next era rather than just the next window.

Familiar Links and Tactical Fit

There is already an established connection between Liverpool and Bournemouth through sporting director Richard Hughes, who made the same move north in March 2024. Having previously overseen Semenyo’s signing from Bristol City, Hughes knows the player’s character and developmental trajectory.

Manager Arne Slot is understood to be seeking a high-intensity right-sided forward to fit his pressing model, one capable of rotating with or eventually replacing Salah. Semenyo’s ball-carrying ability and resilience align perfectly with Slot’s philosophy. Bournemouth boss Iraola acknowledged the speculation but remained pragmatic, saying: “The most important thing for me is that he continues playing well. If he does there will be more noise but it’s something we take if he’s playing well.”

Competition from Rivals

Tottenham and Manchester United both tabled lower offers in the summer, while several European clubs maintain interest. However, Liverpool’s recent title win and Champions League status could provide the decisive edge. As Douglas noted, “Liverpool have joined the battle,” and their timing may be crucial with Semenyo not heading to AFCON after Ghana’s failure to qualify.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans will welcome any move that shows proactive succession planning for Salah, but Antoine Semenyo would represent a bold and ambitious statement. The 25-year-old’s acceleration, physicality and work rate feel tailor-made for Slot’s system, and crucially, he is already Premier League-proven.

Many supporters remember similar murmurs when Mané was emerging at Southampton, and the parallels are striking. Semenyo’s potential release clause gives Liverpool a clear opportunity to strike before his value rises further. A January bid would also prevent rivals like Spurs or United from stealing a march.

With Salah’s contract expiring in 2026 and uncertainty over his long-term role, signing Semenyo early would ease the transition and maintain Liverpool’s attacking dynamism. There will, of course, be concerns over price, but under Slot’s watch, Liverpool’s recruitment has become strategic and forward-thinking.

If the club believes Semenyo is the right fit, fans will likely back the move. He could represent the next great evolution in Liverpool’s forward line, a player hungry to prove himself on a global stage at Anfield.