Semenyo to Liverpool: Important step taken as Reds plan for life after Salah

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 12 Dec 2025 08:15 CST
  • 3 min read
Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Antoine Semenyo’s January move to Liverpool from has taken an important step towards completion.

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The Reds are on the hunt for an immediate replacement for Mohamed Salah, with the future of the Egypt winger suddenly up in the air following his outburst towards the club last week in which he said he felt he had been “thrown under a bus”.

Liverpool have identified the in-form Semenyo as Salah’s long-term replacement, and now a strong hint has been dropped that a deal is in the works.

While several Premier League giants are following the Ghana international, it is understood by sources close to the deal that the 26-year-old has prioritised a move to Anfield.

Bournemouth are braced for a deal to happen and have identified the player they will have take Semenyo’s place in Andoni Iraola’s squad, according to TeamTalk. The Cherries want to sign Philip Otele from FC Basel, the same Swiss side that Salah once turned out for.

Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth
© IMAGO - Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth

Bournemouth pre-empting Semenyo departure

Semenyo has a release clause in his contract on the south coast that makes Bournemouth powerless to retain him should a bid of €74 million (£65m) land.

Liverpool should have few problems raising such a sum given that Salah would likely raise a significantly higher transfer fee if he were to be sold in January. As such, the matter seems to be out of their hands.

But there is clearly a sense amongst Iraola’s ranks that a decisive move for Semenyo is on the horizon. As such, they are pre-empting the market by signing a replacement for the Ghana international.

Antoine Semenyo
© IMAGO - Antoine Semenyo

Guehi transfer talks confirmed

The Reds have also been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the England star can open talks with foreign clubs from 1 January. It appears he will do this, with Bayern Munich planning a meeting on the first day of 2026.

Liverpool do not have that luxury and must somehow negotiate an agreement with Palace if they are to stand a chance of landing a player they narrowly missed out on in the summer.

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