Liverpool's trump card in race to sign Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool are constantly looking to be on the front foot when planning their transfer moves.

The groundwork research is always completed, to ensure that FSG's investment goes on the right profile for Arne Slot's squad, and the specific financial details are worked out well ahead of time.

In spite of the negotiations for Florian Wirtz taking a few weeks in the summer, Liverpool knew that Leverkusen's demands of £125m were never going to be met. Instead, a deal of £100m plus £16m in add-ons was agreed, meaning the Reds didn't overcommit. It was truly a negotiating masterclass.

With the likely approach for Bounemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, there is a £65m release clause that will need to be met, alleviating the need for any real financial negotiations. Instead, it'll be all about the player's wages and how easily he'll fit into his future club midway through the season.

In that department, Liverpool have a trump card ready to blow away the competition.

Semenyo to Merseyside is inevitable

Regardless of whether you think Liverpool should be prioritising a forward signing this winter or not, it's starting to feel inevitable that Semenyo will join the Reds. Everything is slowly falling into place.

Ghana failing to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) means that the 25-year-old will be available for the entire season. That's bonus number one, because Liverpool might look to cover Mohamed Salah's absence with a permanent move. After all, we know he play both wide positions.

Then, we've got the release clause, which limits how much a team can be asked to pay for him; in a different circumstance, it's plausible that Bournemouth could've looked for around £100m instead.

Beyond that, you've got the Richard Hughes connection, since Liverpool's sporting director was involved in the contract talks which led to Semenyo's release clause being implemented in the first place. Look back at Milos Kerkez's signing and how much his family admired Hughes' integrity.

Now, however, we've been given an update which suggests Liverpool are destined to sign him.

Per intel from Indykaila, it's claimed that Manchester City will have to sell a marquee player if they're to sign Semenyo, which means the Reds are currently favourites in the race for him. Of course, the hole left by Luis Diaz's departure in the summer wasn't filled by a signing - there's still space for him.

Around £60m was taken from the Colombian's move to Bayern Munich, which could've been set aside for a replacement that didn't come to fruition. Now that Semenyo is targeted, his move might have been budgeted by the club already. With this in mind, it's just a matter of convincing him.

Of course, there will be consideration taken around Rio Ngumoha's place in Slot's squad, and the desire to not block his pathway into the first-team, when he's ready. But it can't be right that Cody Gakpo is without competition for his place down the left-wing. We need to have different options.

A player like Semenyo would certainly add a new dynamic into the mix, and the circumstances around his future make him an enticing proposition. It's just about making the first move now.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 A new centre-back is COMING to Liverpool

👉🏻 Liverpool finally replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with brilliant playmaker

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool