Liverpool have missed out on a key transfer target, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo now poised to complete a big-money switch to Manchester City. The Premier League champions have reportedly activated the player's £65 million release clause, with a medical scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Liverpool's Long-Standing Interest Comes to Nothing
The Reds had been tracking the dynamic Ghana international for some time, viewing him as a potential solution on the flanks. However, they have been beaten to the punch by Pep Guardiola's side, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also showing keen interest in the 25-year-old. Semenyo, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10 million in 2023, has impressed with 19 league goals across two seasons, showcasing his versatility to play across the front line.
Warnock Questions Anfield Pressure for Bournemouth Stars
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has suggested that failing to secure Semenyo may not be a significant setback for Jurgen Klopp's team. Drawing a direct comparison with Milos Kerkez's challenging adaptation after moving from Bournemouth to Anfield last summer, Warnock highlighted the immense pressure of playing for a club of Liverpool's stature.
"There is a difference between playing for Bournemouth and Liverpool," Warnock told aceodds.com. "We have seen it with Milos Kerkez... He is the perfect case to look at when it comes to the person and the pressure to be at Liverpool."
Warnock acknowledged Semenyo's qualities as a "brilliant" and "physically outstanding" player already suited to the Premier League. However, he raised a critical question about consistency under the spotlight: "Before the match against Man United, he had played seven matches without scoring. If he went seven matches without scoring for Liverpool, things would be a lot different."
Contrasting Views on the Perfect Fit
In contrast to Warnock's caution, former midfielder Jermaine Jenas argued that Semenyo would have been "perfect for Liverpool". Jenas suggested the player was more suited to addressing a potential void left by Luis Diaz than replacing Mohamed Salah, and that his dynamic edge would offer something different to Cody Gakpo.
The transfer appears imminent, with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola admitting after a recent game that it could have been Semenyo's "last game" for the club, citing his understanding of "the market and the noise," though he confirmed nothing was formally signed at that point.
As the deal progresses, the focus now turns to whether Semenyo can justify his hefty price tag at the Etihad and how Liverpool will respond in the transfer market after seeing a long-term target join a direct rival.
