Antoine Semenyo: Liverpool push “in the offing” for months – before Mo Salah saga

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Liverpool’s pursuit of Semenyo of course predates any issues with Mohamed Salah, who could be on the brink of an exit following his criticism of Arne Slot and the club. According to BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel, “as early as October, well-placed sources [shared] that a Liverpool move for Semenyo was in the offing.” That would be as little as a month on from deadline day, with the club having repeated their reluctance to sign another winger in order to clear Rio Ngumoha‘s pathway.

Semenyo is available for a release clause of £65 million in the first two weeks of January, with Man City and Tottenham also credited with a “genuine interest.” Why Liverpool may prefer to sell Salah, sign Semenyo in January The presence of Semenyo’s release clause creates urgency around the situation, with Liverpool knowing they need to act fast to fend off competition from their Premier League rivals. Liverpool’s accounts could effectively be balanced by selling Salah and signing Semenyo before the financial year ends – meaning less impact on any plans for the summer.

Semenyo has been touted as a long-term replacement for Liverpool’s No. But knowing Salah’s feelings on a reduced role at any point in his Liverpool career may accelerate the situation, with the club already having conducted their due diligence over a deal for Semenyo.