Antoine Semenyo’s future is set to reach a defining moment over the next 48 hours, with the Bournemouth forward keen to have his next move finalised before the January 1 transfer window opens.
BBC Sport reported last week that Manchester City are advancing talks for the Ghana international, who has a £65 million release clause in his Bournemouth contract. Discussions between the Premier League champions and Semenyo’s representatives are understood to be at an advanced stage, with further meetings scheduled over the coming days aimed at concluding a deal.
Despite City’s strong push, Semenyo’s situation remains unresolved until an agreement is formally signed. Liverpool are still monitoring developments closely and could yet formalise their interest, particularly in light of Alexander Isak’s recent injury.
The Anfield club are among five Premier League sides to have made enquiries about the 25-year-old, alongside Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. However, City remain the only club to have initiated formal club-to-club contact with Bournemouth so far.
Liverpool’s interest is bolstered by their sporting director, Richard Hughes, who has close ties to Bournemouth from his previous role at the south-coast club. With the transfer window opening on January 1, sources indicate Liverpool are well placed to enter the race should they decide to act.
Semenyo is understood to want clarity on his future as soon as possible, ideally well before January 10, when the release clause in his contract becomes inactive until the summer. Bournemouth, however, would prefer to retain the attacker for their first two fixtures of 2026 — away to Arsenal on January 3 and at home to Tottenham four days later — before approving any departure.
The forward will turn 26 on January 7, a milestone widely seen as marking the beginning of his prime years. With that in mind, sources suggest Semenyo is focused less on short-term considerations and more on choosing a club whose long-term project he believes offers the best chance to compete consistently for major trophies.
As talks intensify, the coming days are expected to be decisive in determining where one of the Premier League’s most sought-after attackers will be playing in the second half of the season.