Antoine Semenyo causes Liverpool disagreement as transfer statement made

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes it could be good news for his old club that Antoine Semenyo looks set to join Manchester City . Pep Guardiola ’s side are in pole position to sign Antoine Semenyo after Chelsea ’s interest in the Bournemouth forward cooled only hours after making enquiries about him.

Liverpool also held an interest in the Ghana international, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also keen to sign the 25-year-old, who has a £65million release clause in his Bournemouth contract that becomes active next month.

Semenyo can play up front and on both wings and has scored 19 league goals across two full campaigns since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10million in 2023. But former Liverpool defender Warnock has questioned whether a move to Anfield would have been too big of a step up for Semenyo to take.

“I think they eventually have to find someone on that right hand side,” he told aceodds.com. “Semenyo has been mentioned as a player who potentially could be that player.

“There is a difference between playing for Bournemouth and Liverpool. We have seen it with Milos Kerkez as well, that was the same scenario.

“He is the perfect case to look at when it comes to the person and the pressure to be at Liverpool. I like Semenyo. I think he is a brilliant player and I think he is very capable.

“But do we know whether he could cope with playing in a Liverpool shirt and providing goals and assists week in week out?

“Before the match against Man United, he had played seven matches without scoring. If he went seven matches without scoring for Liverpool, things would be a lot different.

“There would be a pressure on him, especially with the money he would cost. It might be something he embraces, it might be a challenge that would excite him. Maybe he would enjoy that pressure and thrive under that pressure.

“I like him and he is physically outstanding. I think he suits the Premier League . One thing you have to look at when finding a new player is how quickly he can adapt to the Premier League, and he already knows the Premier League. Everything will just be about how he can adapt playing for Liverpool.”

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However, one former Premier League star who disagrees with Warnock is Jermaine Jenas, who claimed earlier this week that Liverpool was the perfect club for Semenyo.

“Semenyo would be perfect for Liverpool. More than replacing a potential Mo Salah departure, I think it's addressing Luis Diaz's exit,” he told 10bet.

“I think Cody Gakpo is a little bit predictable at times and I think someone with a little bit more of a dynamic edge to them down that left-hand side would be good.

“I also think Spurs would be another good option for Semenyo. But then, who else have you got? He's not going to go to Chelsea, he's not going to go to Manchester City.

“So yeah, I think Liverpool and Spurs are probably the two best options, you know, for him to be looking at.”

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