Exclusive: Liverpool going all out to sign Antoine Semenyo, he’s pencilled in for three roles
Liverpool are going all out to try and win the January race to sign Antoine Semenyo after Alexander Isak suffered a broken leg, sources have told Football Insider.
Liverpool will not allow Mohamed Salah to leave in the upcoming winter window, although that was the plan even before Isak‘s devastating injury was sustained on Saturday.
Arne Slot‘s team will now push ahead with their interest in Bournemouth star Semenyo, who has a £65million release clause that can be triggered by a specified date in the first half of January.
There is strong competition for the versatile forward from Man United and Man City, who have both expressed an interest in him.
But Liverpool can offer Semenyo a place in the starting XI as well as Champions League football straight away.
They hope that could be decisive in persuading the 25-year-old to choose them ahead of the two Manchester giants.
Liverpool eye several roles for Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool are impressed by Semenyo’s ability to play across the forward line, including in both wide attacking positions, and he also offers an option down the middle of the attack.
That could be useful given Isak’s extended spell on the sidelines and Salah’s unavailability until later in January due to his Africa Cup of Nations involvement.
The winger has enjoyed a superb start to the season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists across just 16 matches, and the Reds are certainly set to have a battle on their hands to sign him.
Manchester City have reportedly opened talks to sign Semenyo, with Pep Guardiola hoping to further strengthen his front line.
Arsenal have also entered the race to sign Semenyo, but the Gunners are not seen among the front-runners.
Semenyo could be a difference-maker for Liverpool
Liverpool learned a lot about Semenyo when they met Bournemouth at Anfield on the opening day of the season.
The winger charged past Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson to halve a 2-0 deficit in the second half, and minutes later, he levelled the scores.
Receiving the ball just outside his own penalty box, Semenyo drove through the middle of the pitch, seeing off Konate once again before smashing past Alisson.
The forward’s direct style could be exactly what Slot’s attack needs, with the Dutchman searching for a catalyst for the second half of the season.