Liverpool, Man City and Spurs in running for Semenyo

The future of Antoine Semenyo is set to become one of the most intriguing narratives of the forthcoming transfer window.

The Bournemouth attacker is attracting major interest from at least three Premier League clubs heading into January, with Manchester City , Liverpool and Tottenham among those with a genuine interest in the 25-year-old – while Manchester United have also been credited with an admiration for the player.

Interested parties know the financial conditions, a release fee of £65m that can be activated for around the first two weeks of the month.

Barring a shock, it seems inevitable Semenyo now leaves next month or in the summer window when his release fee is understood to reduce.

The question is: where will he go?

Liverpool?

The uncertainty over Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield has cast a deeper glare on Liverpool 's interest in Semenyo.

If, and it remains a big if, Salah is to leave Merseyside in the coming weeks or months then Semenyo could fit as the Egyptian's replacement in the squad.

However, it is important to stress that Liverpool 's interest in the Ghana international pre-existed the current hullabaloo that is surrounding Salah – though the fact Liverpool are well-stocked with attacking talent is also a consideration.

Of course, Liverpool 's interest in Semenyo may well be linked to the attacker eventually becoming Salah's replacement regardless of the current behind-the-scenes issues.

Salah is 33 and Liverpool are acutely aware that they need a plan in place for when he leaves.

Financially it would be less of a strain if they signed Semenyo in the same window that Salah departs.

Given the current state of play, that may well be possible in January.

That said, Liverpool will also realise that given Semenyo's release clause, they have to be prepared to move immediately given the concrete interest in the forward from elsewhere.

The fact Salah is leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations after this weekend's game against Brighton - plus Semenyo isn't going to the tournament because Ghana didn't qualify - is another factor to consider.

Manchester City?

With such an array of attacking talent at their disposal, it's not as obvious how Semenyo would fit into Pep Guardiola's plans.

Given Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Savinho, among others, can all operate in the areas of the pitch Semenyo can, there doesn't appear an immediate necessity for City to press forward with their interest in the right-winger.

But if a good player is available, then it is always likely that you will find City in the mix. That is the case here.

There have been indications in recent weeks that City's interest in Semenyo is the most solid as January approaches.

The fact there is a set price will suit City, who despite their vast wealth have shown a reluctance to be dragged into bidding wars with rival clubs or pay over their perceived valuation for players in recent years.

Joining a club in the midst of a Premier League title race with Arsenal , too, would provide Semenyo with a clear sporting incentive to join City over Liverpool , whose season has been characterised by major inconsistencies.

With regards to Arsenal , the Gunners are understood to have a degree of interest in Semenyo, but the club are said to be happy with their current attacking options and are mindful of complying with financial regulations after a vast summer spend.

Similarly, Manchester United – having spent heavily on bolstering their attack with moves for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer – are blessed with forward talent and are eyeing a new central midfielder as a priority in the next two windows.

Tottenham?

From a sporting perspective, a move for Semenyo to either Liverpool or City would seem significantly more attractive to the Ghanian than one to Spurs.

Even taking into account Liverpool 's difficulties so far this season, there is a widely held view within football circles that the Reds will eventually re-emerge as a force given the quality of squad at their disposal.

Similarly with City, the outcome of the 115 charges in relation to breaching the Premier League's financial regulations and the conjecture over Guardiola's future at the Etihad may also act as deterrents to Semenyo.

A move to the north west for Semenyo is more likely than one to north London, however, Tottenham's financial power is growing.

The new ownership structure, led by Joe Lewis' children, is expected to make substantial funds available in the forthcoming transfer windows as they look to spark a sustained spell of success on the pitch that, barring last season's Europa League triumph, has eluded the club for such a long period.

Sources have suggested that the remuneration package Tottenham are willing to offer Semenyo could be the most personally lucrative to the player, while funding the release clause will not be an obstacle.

But if Semenyo is prioritising sporting achievements as he weighs up his next move, then Liverpool or City would likely provide him with a better chance of fulfilling his ambitions.

Stay at Bournemouth until the summer?

In many ways, this represents the common sense decision for Semenyo; to continue playing regularly under Andoni Iraola before starting a full pre-season with his new club in the summer.

That scenario would certainly suit the Cherries head coach given the attacker's importance to the team.

But the club are effectively powerless to keep Semenyo if the player agrees to join a club willing to action his release clause.

But the option of staying on the south coast until the end of the season and starting afresh with his new team-mates after the World Cup is an outcome that shouldn't be discounted.

The prospect of losing Semenyo is one Bournemouth have been bracing themselves for ever since he signed a new contract last summer.

Delaying the inevitable for around six months now looks to be the best Bournemouth can hope for.