Liverpool are widening their forward search for 2026, and one name keeps surfacing. AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has burst out of the blocks this season, with six goals and three assists in eight matches, putting him on course to surpass last year’s 11 goals and six assists if the momentum holds. The Reds view the right-sided winger as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. With Salah now 33 and short of his usual ruthless standards this season, Liverpool are doing their homework early. Semenyo is firmly on the radar—yet any move will hinge on timing, price and a clause that remains under wraps.
Antoine Semenyo Liverpool transfer: Scouting heats up for 2026
Reports state Liverpool are closely monitoring the Ghana international. According to Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail, it would take an “astronomical offer” to persuade Bournemouth to sell in January. That stance reflects both the player’s form and the Cherries’ ambition for the campaign ahead.
Liverpool’s interest is strategic rather than short-term. Planning for 2026 gives the club room to assess output, development and fit. Semenyo’s powerful ball carries, end product and right-wing profile tick obvious boxes for a post-Salah succession plan, but Liverpool will not be drawn into mid-season brinkmanship if the numbers are inflated.
Antoine Semenyo release clause remains secretive amid mid-60s talk
Transfer chatter has centered on a release clause. TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones notes that figures “remain secretive,” though recent guidance points to a number in the mid-£60m range. Crucially, there is uncertainty over when that clause would be active, adding a layer of complexity for any suitor eyeing a quick deal.
That ambiguity suits Bournemouth. A clause that is either inactive or poorly timed gives them leverage, especially while Semenyo’s form spikes and outside interest grows. It also keeps the door open for a summer bidding landscape rather than a forced winter exit.
January move unlikely despite form and clause timing
The consensus from multiple reports is clear: a January sale is improbable. Jones indicates the clause would not be “live” mid-season, and Bournemouth have no appetite to cash in while chasing their own targets. Steele’s “astronomical offer” line underscores just how high the bar sits for any winter approach.
For Liverpool, that means patience. Monitoring through the spring keeps options open without overcommitting. It also allows time to judge whether Semenyo sustains elite output across the campaign, rather than a hot start.
Bournemouth valuation rises as Mo Salah successor debate grows
Bournemouth’s stance has hardened as performances attract attention. Jones suggests the club recognises that keeping Semenyo beyond this season could be “extremely difficult.” In terms of valuation, he places a broad range between £70m and £100m—prices that mirror current form and future potential.
The Cherries’ strong start, with the team sitting fourth in the Premier League, may influence the player’s next step. A successful season could tempt him to stay; equally, it could widen the field of admirers. Either way, Bournemouth know the market and the moment are moving in their favour.
For Liverpool, the calculus is simple: keep evaluating a winger whose numbers and profile fit the brief while the release-clause picture clarifies. With Salah’s legacy casting a long shadow, replacing his output will take careful planning, not a rushed bid. Expect the Semenyo conversation to linger into the summer, where timing, price and performance will finally converge.
