Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hugs Liverpool manager Arne Slot. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
According to a reliable source on X, Liverpool are leading the race against Manchester City to sign Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo.
Man City may have to drop a marquee name before signing Semenyo. If that happens, many believe Liverpool remain the favorites to secure the Ghanaian’s signature.
City’s interest in Semenyo is clear, with a £65 million release clause active in January, they see an opportunity to strengthen their attacking options as they chase silverware.
Semenyo, 25, has already won praise this season for his performances for Bournemouth this season.
Man City behind Liverpool in Semenyo race
However, the Etihad hierarchy appears to view such a signing as a significant financial commitment.
Some inside City would believe that a sale of a high-value current player, a ‘marquee’, would be necessary to offset the cost and comply with financial regulations or wage structure strategy.
This means that, for now, Semenyo’s path to Manchester could depend less on sporting ambition and more on a complex balance behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are regularly described as the leading candidates for Semenyo’s arrival and their advantage may not just be about money or timing.
Richard Hughes, who now works at Liverpool, was Bournemouth’s technical director. He shares a close relationship with Semenyo’s club and that could also give the Reds a boost in signing the Premier League striker.
With Liverpool’s need for attacking reinforcements, especially given potential squad changes and their financial firepower still intact from recent transfer windows, they look very well positioned.
Semenyo attracts interest from top clubs
Semenyo has become one of the stars of the Premier League this season. Comfortable on either wing or in the middle, the 25-year-old has the quality of pace, finishing off chances and threatening defenses with his unpredictability.
Even if City trigger Semenyo’s release clause, several obstacles remain. The need to trade a big-name player could delay or derail negotiations, especially given the current nature of the crowded team.
Bournemouth may not stand in the way of Semenyo in January if a club triggers his clause after previously rejecting offers for him in the summer transfer window.
Bid prepared: Liverpool open direct negotiations to beat Man United for potential £30m transfer
