Antoine Semenyo is closely linked with a transfer to Liverpool both within the January switch window or subsequent summer season, with there a convincing case to signal the Bournemouth ahead.
Whereas claims Semenyo has handed in a switch request forward of the winter window are seen as broad of the mark, it seems a case of no smoke with out fireplace in terms of Liverpool’s curiosity.
However would the 25-year-old be the fitting match as the following addition to Arne Slot‘s attacking ranks?
Listed here are seven explanation why Liverpool ought to signal Semenyo – together with three counter-arguments after a heavy-spending summer season simply gone.
Why Antoine Semenyo is the fitting signing for Liverpool
1. He’s Premier League confirmed, homegrown eligible
Semenyo joined Bournemouth from Bristol Metropolis in January 2023 and has comfortably made the step as much as Premier League soccer.
In 92 video games within the high flight thus far, he has 26 targets and 12 assists – together with 17 targets and 9 assists in 48 league video games for the reason that begin of final season.
Moreover, regardless of being a Ghana worldwide, Semenyo was born in London and performed youth soccer in South Gloucestershire earlier than coming by the ranks at Bristol Metropolis.
He’s due to this fact eligible as a homegrown participant within the Premier League and association-trained within the Champions League.
2. He can play anyplace within the assault
Whereas he might have settled on the fitting wing as his pure place, Semenyo is vastly versatile and has performed a major variety of video games in each place throughout the entrance line.
His capacity to additionally play on the left wing and as a central striker wouldn’t solely swimsuit Arne Slot‘s system however present cowl and competitors all through the assault.
It could not be unrealistic to counsel Liverpool would see him as an improve on Federico Chiesa, who can play each position however clearly isn’t trusted as an everyday starter.
3. He provides tempo, energy and urgent
Semenyo is a hard-running, hardworking ahead who not solely thrives on the transition however can harry defenders into errors and create alternatives himself.
Slot made clear his need so as to add tempo to the Liverpool squad over the summer season with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and including Bournemouth‘s No. 24 would additional support that trigger.
4. He performs in high-profile video games
The Ghana worldwide just isn’t merely a flat-track bully: Semenyo has proven he can rating in high-profile video games, not least together with his double at Anfield at first of the season.
Actually his file towards Liverpool (three targets) is simply bettered by his tally towards Fulham (5), whereas Man Metropolis, Man United (house and away) and Chelsea have been among the many sides he netted towards final time period.
5. Salah wants an inheritor
Liverpool signed off on their biggest-ever contract in the summertime after they agreed to pay Mohamed Salah as much as £480,000 per week together with bonuses.
However Salah’s performances within the season thus far have highlighted the truth that, regardless of his world-class capacity, the Egyptian could also be nearing the twilight of his profession on the age of 33.
Salah is tied right down to 2027, however there’s a sense that by that time Liverpool have to have secured a long-term successor – and Semenyo appears the proper match.
6. He has a launch clause
Bournemouth had at all times been thought of keen to promote Semenyo, and it has now been revealed that not solely is there a launch clause in his contract, however it may be triggered as early as January.
That makes him out there for £65 million at first of the yr and the value will drop additional in the summertime, per The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
Liverpool may benefit from their long-standing ties to the south-coast membership in the event that they make an strategy, not least with sporting director Richard Hughes having spent 12 years on the membership earlier than bringing scouts Mark Burchill and Craig McKee with him to Anfield.
7. He gained’t be going to AFCON!
One of many massive plusses if Liverpool have been to land a deal for Semenyo mid-season is that, in contrast to Salah, he is not going to be collaborating within the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana didn’t qualify for a match which runs from December 21 to January 18; Salah will miss no less than three video games and as many as seven on account of Egypt’s participation.
In concept, Semenyo might be part of as an instantaneous stand-in for the absent Salah earlier than competing for a spot within the assault in the long run.
Why Liverpool might look elsewhere – the case towards Semenyo
1. One other big-money signing
Whereas Liverpool nonetheless spent inside their means and a sizeable portion was offset by important funds introduced in from gross sales, final summer season was definitely a press release window.
A spend of just about £450 million has attracted additional scrutiny and has undoubtedly seen the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz wrestle with the burden of expectation thus far.
Semenyo should still characterize truthful worth at £65 million attributable to his age, expertise and confirmed high quality, however it will solely add strain on a participant who’s but to be examined in European soccer.
2. Not an answer to Liverpool’s present downside?
Semenyo is a participant who thrives on verticality: his tempo, motion and medical edge make him good for Andoni Iraola’s setup at Bournemouth.
However that arguably doesn’t resolve the difficulty Liverpool are more and more going through within the Premier League, the place sides strategy video games making an attempt to frustrate the champions with a low block and fewer alternatives to counter.
It stays to be seen if Slot can discover a answer to that downside – and equally if a participant like Semenyo would supply it.
3. Greater priorities elsewhere
Although Liverpool do seem like lacking a component in assault and Salah will must be changed finally, it may be argued that it’s not presently the precedence.
Cracks are exhibiting in midfield, notably with the absence of a top-level specialist defensive midfielder, whereas the jury is out on each left-back and right-back, and no less than one new centre-back is required.
Nevertheless, if Semenyo is recognized as the perfect goal for Liverpool in assault, there are definitely extra execs than cons to any deal.
