Manchester City Apply Transfer Pressure to Liverpool in £65 Million Chase for Premier League Star
Liverpool are facing growing pressure in their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window, with multiple Premier League clubs – including Manchester City – closely monitoring the situation.
Semenyo has emerged as one of the most talked-about attacking options going into winter, with several top-flight sides keeping track of his availability at the Vitality Stadium. Manchester City’s interest has accelerated in recent weeks, fuelled by Pep Guardiola’s admiration for the Ghanaian international’s profile and goal-threat from wide areas.
Concerns within City over their reliance on Erling Haaland and a lack of goals from midfield have intensified scouting efforts. Semenyo’s versatility, directness, and improvement under Andoni Iraola have positioned him as a serious option.
Liverpool Facing a January Dilemma
For Liverpool, the timing is becoming urgent. Mohamed Salah’s upcoming absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations creates a short-term attacking void, prompting renewed internal discussions about accelerating their long-term interest in Semenyo.
With attacking alternatives limited, Liverpool’s recruitment department must decide whether to activate the player’s early-window clause or risk losing ground to domestic rivals.
Adding further complexity is significant interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who have been tracking Semenyo since the summer. Despite the forward recently signing a new deal, Bournemouth remain protected through a structured release clause.
The £65 Million Release Clause
According to a new report from iPaper journalist Mark Douglas, Liverpool must choose whether to move for Semenyo in the opening days of the January window or face stiff competition from Manchester City in the summer.
The Bournemouth attacker’s contract includes a clause that allows buying clubs to secure him for £65 million during the first week of the January market. Liverpool are considering activating it to soften the impact of Salah’s temporary departure to AFCON.
However, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham remain keen on the 24-year-old, whose clause is set to drop to £60 million in the summer of 2026.
Player’s Position and City’s Strategy
Semenyo is reportedly happy at Bournemouth and not actively pushing for a move, though serious approaches from Liverpool or Manchester City would likely shift his stance.
For City, the situation presents a rare strategic opportunity. While they usually avoid major January spending, the nature of the release clause provides a strong incentive to act quickly, especially given Guardiola’s desire to restore more direct wide attacking threat to his system.
If no club triggers the early-window figure, City could maneuver themselves into a strong position for a later move.
As the January transfer window approaches, all attention turns to whether Liverpool will act swiftly. Any hesitation could open the door for Manchester City – as well as other Premier League rivals – to turn the chase for Antoine Semenyo into one of the defining transfer battles of 2026.
