Manchester City are poised to swoop in and potentially derail Liverpool’s pursuit of Antoine Semenyo with a £65m offer
Manchester City are reportedly preparing a major move to activate the release clause of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo — a development that will undoubtedly unsettle Liverpool, who have been heavily linked with the player.
The Times reports that the Premier League champions are seriously considering triggering the £65 million buyout clause once the January transfer window opens.
Semenyo, 25, has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season, attracting interest from several top clubs. Liverpool had long been viewed as the favourites for the Ghanaian winger, but City’s sudden involvement threatens to derail those plans entirely.
The timing is significant, with City eager to strengthen their attack as they chase down league leaders Arsenal.
City eye Semenyo as a key January target
According to the report, Manchester City view Semenyo as the ideal addition to reinvigorate their title push. Guardiola’s side are exploring whether to pay the £65m clause that becomes active in the New Year.
Their interest is driven by a desire to ease the goalscoring load on Erling Haaland while adding more dynamism out wide, with Semenyo able to play on both flanks or centrally — a perfect fit for City’s fluid system.
Although no final decision has been made, belief is growing within the Etihad that signing Semenyo could provide a crucial boost in the second half of the campaign. The release clause means negotiations with Bournemouth would be bypassed entirely; once the fee is met, the decision falls solely to the player.
Liverpool’s transfer plans under threat
Before City’s involvement, Liverpool were considered the frontrunners for Semenyo. The strong link comes from sporting director Richard Hughes, who originally signed the winger for Bournemouth and remains a major admirer of his ability.
With Mohamed Salah heading to the Africa Cup of Nations and leaving a temporary gap in the forward line, Liverpool identified Semenyo as both a short-term solution and a long-term investment.
But City’s interest poses a serious threat. If the champions choose to trigger the clause, Liverpool’s position at the front of the queue may mean little unless they act swiftly.
The stage is now set for a highly competitive January battle, with one of the league’s most exciting attackers at the centre of a potential transfer tug-of-war.
