Despite forking out almost £450million in the summer there are rumours Liverpool could dip back into the transfer market come January. The reigning Premier League champions have struggled for large parts of the season in spite of their significant outlay ahead of the new campaign.
The Reds brought in the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the last window.
They also had to contend with losing Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and Harvey Elliott, on loan to Aston Villa, amongst others. With calls for a speedy wide man to join Liverpool’s attack, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is one name that’s been on the lips of fans.
Today’s rumours see Semenyo reportedly make a choice on his next destination while one Liverpool icon has warned Arne Slot over his next signing.
Transfer target prefers Liverpool
Liverpool have potentially been handed a boost in their reported pursuit of Semenyo. The forward is thought to favour joining Liverpool, with Manchester City his second choice.
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Semenyo signed a new deal with the Cherries which could keep him at the Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2030. However, it was recently reported that his new deal includes a £65million release clause
While the Ghana star is said to prefer a move to Anfield, Liverpool look to have competition from Manchester United. Reports suggest that United are looking to recruit Semenyo in January. Ruben Amorim met Semenyo in London at the end of last season, but United were put off by Bournemouth’s £80m plus asking price.
While it looks like Semenyo has the choice of any top club in the Premier League, ex-Liverpool and United star Paul Ince has urged the winger to wait until the summer transfer window.
“He should wait until the summer transfer window to make a move; January isn’t a great time to move and clubs often don’t like parting with players midway through a season,” Ince told Covers.com.
“He’ll have plenty of options on the table. He’s got all the attributes to improve even more too; he’s great on both feet, strong, quick and can bag you plenty of goals, as we’ve seen so far this year.”
Liverpool icon warns Liverpool off Semenyo
Meanwhile, John Barnes has told Liverpool NOT to sign Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window. The ex-Liverpool star believes Liverpool have enough talent in the bag after their summer spending spree.
“January is not a time to sign players,” Barnes said, speaking exclusively to Mirror Football via BetMGM. “And if you look at what we have, we haven’t got a problem scoring goals and creating chances. We’ve got Gakpo, we’ve got Isak, we’ve got Wirtz, we still have Mo. We have Ngumoha. That is not a problem for us.
“So, of course, if you then feel that long-term you want him, but I don’t think January is a time to be signing players. So, and I don’t know from Manchester City’s point of view, he comes, he’s going to play ahead of the boys who they have there. So, of course, this is, once again, paper talk.
“But from that point of view, he’s a very, very good player. But from Liverpool’s perspective, the solution to the problem isn’t just signing players. We signed £400million pounds worth of players, didn’t we? So what, we’re going to sign some more now for £65m? And then if that doesn’t work, you’re going to sign for another one for £100m in January? No, we have a good enough squad.”
He continued: “He’s a good player. The club have to decide. I think we have problems in other positions that we need to look at before Semenyo. But that’s not me not saying that he’s a good player and if he comes to Liverpool, he would be welcomed.”
“But, yeah, I don’t know whether Man City are interested in him or Liverpool or anyone like that. But January, for me, is never a time to sign players.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
