Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola hugs Liverpool manager Arne Slott. (Photo by Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
Bournemouth are preparing for a potential late-game move for Liverpool winger Antoine Semenyo, despite growing expectations that the player is inching closer to a move to Manchester City.
According to the Telegraph, the Cherries believe Liverpool could enter the race with a formal bid as the January transfer window approaches.
Semenyo has been one of Bournemouth’s best performers this season and his explosive form has caught the attention of the Premier League’s elite.
It has been widely reported that the player wants to join Josep Guardiola’s Man City, but the latest reports suggest that Liverpool, who have long been Semenyo’s fans, could enter the race at the last minute and try to hijack a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool enter race to sign Antoine Semenyo
In recent days, the narrative surrounding Semenyo’s future has shifted heavily towards City.
Guardiola’s side are understood to have made the most concrete progress to date, and the player himself wants to resolve his future quickly.
Semenyo reportedly wants clarity by January 1, leaving interested clubs with a narrow window in which to act without entering into lengthy negotiations with Bournemouth, especially as his £65m release clause expires as soon as the deadline opens.
But Liverpool’s interest should not be ignored. Sporting director Richard Hughes is well aware of Semenyo’s profile and is believed to be monitoring the situation closely.
Hughes’ familiarity with Bournemouth’s structure and the players themselves could be crucial if Liverpool choose to attack late.
The Reds have appeared to have cooled their interest in recent weeks, but that could change quickly, especially if Liverpool’s attacking options are affected by injury.
From Bournemouth’s point of view, losing Semenyo this winter was always a real possibility.
The club have long accepted that his performances will attract attention at the top level and are preparing for his possible departure.
Bournemouth prepare for Semenyo’s departure
Nevertheless, they want to ensure that any exit occurs on their terms, both financially and in terms of timing.
Ideally, Bournemouth would like to ensure that Semenyo is available for key games in early January before making a move.
Semenyo himself is currently facing a major career decision. Man City offer the lure of competing for major honors under Guardiola, but it will be difficult to break into an already stacked attacking line-up.
By contrast, Liverpool could offer a clearer path to regular appearances under manager Arne Slott as they continue to regroup after a difficult first half of the season.
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