Liverpool line up Antoine Semenyo transfer amid Mo Salah concerns

Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has become a target for Liverpool as the January transfer window approaches, with a long-term replacement needed for Mohamed Salah

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window after growing concerned by Mohamed Salah’s poor form.

Salah has looked out of sorts this season and has returned just three goals in 11 games across all competitions so far and is without a non-penalty goal in the league since opening night in August. He was extremely ineffective in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, which extended Liverpool’s losing streak to four matches.

The 33-year-old signed a bumper new two-year contract earlier this year but his lacklustre start to the campaign has prompted Liverpool chiefs to speed up their succession planning. Over £450million was spent in the summer transfer window to bolster Arne Slot’s squad, yet funds are still available in January if needed.

Semenyo has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, scoring six times in eight games and appears poised to leave for a bigger club. Both Manchester United and Tottenham enquired about his availability over the summer but did not meet Bournemouth’s asking price of £75m.

The Ghana international signed a new five-year contract with the Cherries in July, but The i reports that there is a release clause inserted in the deal. While the figure itself isn’t known, its existence and Bournemouth’s willingness to sell their stars has encouraged Liverpool to join the race for the 25-year-old forward.

The Reds bought Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth over the summer and have strong links with the club due to the presence of sporting director Richard Hughes, who used to work on the south coast.

As well as being in red-hot form, Semenyo has the added bonus of not leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations in January after Ghana didn’t qualify. Liverpool will lose Salah to Egypt duty and, if their poor form continues, may be tempted to splash the cash once more.

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Bournemouth cashed in on Kerkez and centre-backs Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen, who left for Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively, and know they will struggle to keep hold of Semenyo. With Spurs and United also interested and Semenyo under contract for a long period, they could drive a hard bargain if Liverpool come calling in January.

Understandably, manager Andoni Iraola has been keen to play down Semenyo’s potential exit. Asked about a release clause last week, the Spaniard said: “I don’t know anything about the contracts of the players. I don’t know how much they earn and don’t want to know either.

“The most important thing for me is that he continues playing well. If he does there will be more noise but it’s something we take if he’s playing well. My concern is to keep him in the spot where he’s playing well.”