Manchester United could miss out on one of their biggest summer targets as Liverpool lead the race to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo in next January’s transfer window.
The highly-rated Ghanaian is reportedly being targeted by both Manchester United and Tottenham, but the Reds are currently leading the chase.
Antoine Semenyo rejected Manchester United and Tottenham last summer
A reliable transfer source who has been at the top of Semenyo’s transfer saga from the beginning says the Bournemouth star rejected huge offers from both Manchester United and Tottenham over the summer, believed to be around £50m.
The Ghanaian has chosen to remain at Bournemouth and has signed a new long-term contract with a release clause of £65 million, which comes into effect in January.
A source told X: “Breaking news: Antoine Semenyo rejected a £50m move to Manchester United and Spurs last summer.”
Liverpool’s top candidate to sign Antoine Semenyo in January despite interest from Arsenal
Arne Slott’s team are said to be leading the race to sign Semenyo in January. Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is said to be in direct contact with Bournemouth, hoping to use his strong relationship with his former employer to seal a deal.
Mikel Arteta has also expressed a strong interest in the player, but it is reported that Arsenal will first need to sell a big-name player in January before they can sign the attacker.
Liverpool’s financial situation compared to the Gunners and Semenyo’s Anfield orientation means the Reds are in a good position to sign the 25-year-old.
How Semenyo could instantly solve Liverpool’s attacking woes
Liverpool’s attacking line-up has struggled to find consistency this season, with Arne Slott under pressure amid a busy fixture schedule.
The departure of Luis Dias has left a void on the left flank, but Kodi Gakpo has yet to replicate the impact he made last season.
To make matters worse, the Reds will be without their talismanic forward for several key games in December and January, with Mohamed Salah awaiting AFCON duty in Egypt.
Semenyo provides timely solutions to these challenges. The Bournemouth forward’s versatility means he can play in all three attacking positions and can play as a winger or central striker depending on Liverpool’s needs.
His explosive speed and strength make him a constant threat in transition, and his two-legged ability allows him to adapt to different tactical scenarios without losing effectiveness.
