Manchester City’s plans for the January transfer window have been met with an unexpected late complication, as Liverpool are now being linked with a move for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
The Ghana international has been steadily moving towards what many expect to be a major step in his career, following a run of performances that have drawn attention from several of the Premier League’s leading clubs.
City have long been viewed as the strongest contenders, but fresh reports suggest the race may not be as straightforward as previously thought.
Semenyo’s future has been the subject of growing discussion in recent weeks, particularly as the January window approaches.
Bournemouth are braced for interest, and while Manchester City remain in pole position, the report that Liverpool are interested in Antonie Semenyo has added a new layer of intrigue to the situation.
Manchester City push for clarity before January
For much of the winter build-up, the picture around Antoine Semenyo’s future appeared relatively settled.
Manchester City and Manchester United were identified as the most serious suitors, while Chelsea’s involvement faded after an initial enquiry. Among that group, City were widely regarded as the club making the most decisive moves.
Pep Guardiola’s side have stepped up their efforts in recent days, with sporting director Hugo Viana holding direct discussions as the club seeks to finalise a deal as early as possible.
The desire for speed is not accidental. According to reporting from BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, Semenyo wants any transfer to Manchester City completed by January 1, underlining his preference for an early resolution.
Bournemouth, however, have their own considerations. The south coast club would ideally like to keep the forward available for crucial fixtures against Arsenal and Tottenham, both scheduled before his January 10 release clause deadline.
Those matches represent significant tests for Andoni Iraola’s side, and losing a key attacking player ahead of them would be far from ideal.
Despite that, the player’s stance has been clear. The motivation behind Semenyo’s push is not rooted in financial demands.
Instead, the appeal lies in the sporting challenge: the chance to work under Guardiola, to compete consistently for major honours, and to perform on the biggest stages in European football.
From City’s perspective, there is confidence that these factors give them a strong hand. The club are keen to have everything in place before the window opens, allowing Guardiola to integrate the forward as quickly as possible.
Triggering the £65 million release clause early would remove uncertainty and prevent rivals from gaining momentum.
Until recently, there was little indication that another club was preparing to challenge that position in a meaningful way.
Liverpool interest adds late uncertainty
That sense of clarity has now been tested by fresh reports suggesting Liverpool could yet enter the race.
According to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Bournemouth are expecting the Merseyside club to emerge as serious contenders for Semenyo’s signature, despite the forward having already identified Manchester City as his preferred destination.
Liverpool are interested in Antonie Semenyo as the club have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, tracking his development and noting his consistency in the Premier League.
Up to this point, however, there had been no strong indication that they were ready to go head-to-head with City for the player. That may now be changing.
There is growing speculation on the south coast that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is considering a late move.
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Such a development would inevitably introduce doubt, particularly given Liverpool’s attacking needs and the questions surrounding their forward line.
Ongoing uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future, combined with Alexander Isak’s long-term injury issues, has sharpened the focus on potential reinforcements.
Semenyo’s profile fits many of the qualities Liverpool have historically valued: pace, physicality, and proven output at Premier League level.
His versatility across the front line also adds to his appeal, offering tactical flexibility for a side competing on multiple fronts.
Despite, the report that Liverpool are interested in Antonie Semenyo, the balance of evidence continues to favour Manchester City. The player’s own preference remains a decisive factor, and City’s proactive approach has allowed them to move further ahead in discussions.
