Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for winger Antoine Semenyo as early as January, with the knowledge of a release clause in his contract at Bournemouth.
Semenyo has been in sensational form so far this season, with six goals and three assists in nine games for Bournemouth as well as helping Ghana qualify for the World Cup.
That has sparked more speculation over his future at Dean Court, despite signing a new five-year contract with his current club in the summer.
Liverpool have been credibly linked with the 25-year-old on a number of occasions and now The i Paper‘s Mark Douglas claims they could make a move in January.
Douglas – a reliable source when it comes to Bournemouth – writes that the Premier League champions are “considering whether to push the button” in the winter window.
This comes with Mohamed Salah currently struggling for consistency, but more importantly the Egyptian is also set to depart for the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah could miss as many as eight games – including a trip to title rivals Arsenal – if he helps his country progress to the final, with the tournament kicking off on December 21 and concluding on January 18.
Semenyo will not be involved at AFCON as Ghana failed to qualify, making him a more attractive prospect when it comes to a January transfer.
Furthermore, it is explained that Bournemouth agreed a release clause in the new deal their No. 24 signed in July, though the terms are not publicly known at this stage.
Semenyo’s release clause is below £100m
Given Liverpool’s connections on the south coast, however, not least sporting director Richard Hughes and scouts Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, it is possible that details of that release clause could be more easily obtained.
Douglas explains that while there have been suggestions Semenyo would only move for upwards of £100 million, the set fee is lower than that.
It is also noted that Bournemouth‘s asking price over the summer was £75 million.
Bournemouth are understandably eager to retain their top goalscorer for at least the remainder of the season, and their excellent form – currently fourth in the Premier League – may yet convince Semenyo to stay.
Liverpool are not alone in their interest, with Man United, Tottenham and a “crop of overseas clubs” also linked with a player who is classed as homegrown in the English top flight.
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