Liverpool, Man City and Spurs in hunt for Antoine Semenyo as £65m clause sparks transfer battle

Antoine Semenyo is rapidly becoming one of the defining storylines of the upcoming transfer window, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all positioning themselves for a move that could reshape their attacking plans for years to come. The Bournemouth forward has exploded into one of the Premier League’s most coveted players, and with a well-known £65m release clause available for the first two weeks of January, Europe’s elite are circling.

Sources cited by the BBC suggest that Semenyo’s departure now feels less like speculation and more like inevitability — whether that be next month or in the summer, when the clause is understood to drop. Manchester United maintain admiration but are not considered to be in the same tier of readiness as the leading trio. The question dominating conversations is no longer if Semenyo moves, but where.

Liverpool’s interest predates the recent headlines around Mohamed Salah’s future, but the developments of the past week have magnified Semenyo’s importance in their planning. Salah’s bombshell comments after the 3–3 draw with Leeds — accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus” — have introduced fresh uncertainty at a delicate juncture.

Well-placed sources indicated as early as October that Liverpool viewed Semenyo as a long-term attacking target. Whether or not Salah leaves immediately, the club knows they must plan for succession. At 33, the Egyptian is nearing the end of his cycle at Anfield, and Liverpool have historically favoured securing replacements early rather than scrambling.

Financially, moving for Semenyo in the same window Salah departs would make the transition cleaner. The fact that Salah will leave for AFCON after the Brighton fixture, while Semenyo is available throughout January, adds further strategic value. Liverpool’s squad is deep, but the opportunity to future-proof the right flank cannot be ignored.

At first glance, Manchester City may appear to have little need for Semenyo, given their stacked forward options: Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Savinho all operate in similar zones. But if the past decade has proven anything, it’s that City rarely pass on top-tier talent when the conditions suit them.

And here, the conditions suit them perfectly.

A fixed £65m clause eliminates bidding wars — something City strongly prefer to avoid. Indications suggest their interest is among the most solid in the Premier League. Joining a title-chasing side, with Arsenal applying pressure at the top, presents a clear competitive incentive to the player.

Arsenal themselves have mild interest but remain wary of financial restrictions after heavy summer spending. Manchester United are well stocked in attack and prioritising midfield. That leaves City as Liverpool’s most realistic challenger.

In sporting terms, City offer Semenyo a fast track to trophies — something few players overlook.

Financially, Tottenham may be the most intriguing option of all. With Joe Lewis’ children now leading the ownership structure, Spurs are expected to release significant funds in upcoming windows as they aim to build a sustained era of success. Sources suggest Tottenham’s remuneration package could be the most lucrative personally for Semenyo, and the £65m fee poses no barrier.

But prestige matters. And from a purely sporting perspective, Liverpool and City remain more attractive pathways to silverware. Spurs have momentum and ambition, but uncertainty over competitiveness may hurt their pull compared to the two northern giants.

Still, the club’s growing resources make them difficult to dismiss. Tottenham can pitch Semenyo on becoming a centrepiece rather than a rotational asset — an angle Liverpool and City cannot easily match.

From a practical standpoint, remaining at Bournemouth until the end of the season is the most stable option for Semenyo. He is thriving under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries rely heavily on him, and a summer move allows him to start pre-season fresh at his new club.

But Bournemouth are effectively powerless once the clause is triggered. If the player agrees terms elsewhere, the club can only watch events unfold. Given the scale of interest, delaying the inevitable by six months may be the best outcome they can hope for.

In our view, the Liverpool, Man City and Spurs Semenyo transfer saga hinges on one key question: does the player value being a starter or a trophy-chaser? Although some observers believe Tottenham will struggle to compete, their financial package and clear pathway to minutes make them a dark horse.

From my experience covering Premier League decision-making, players at Semenyo’s stage often prioritise role clarity. At City, he risks being rotation. At Liverpool, he may be Salah’s heir. At Spurs, he could be a centrepiece.

The nuance here is important: this isn’t only about the club’s prestige — it’s about the player’s ambition and risk appetite. That’s why this move feels genuinely unpredictable.

If Salah leaves in January, Liverpool will move instantly. If City want him for structural depth, they will strike early to avoid competitors. If Spurs believe they can land a marquee signing to signal their new era, they may offer the most aggressive personal package.

The first 10 days of January could decide the entire saga.

Clubs are already preparing formal approaches ahead of January 1. Expect movement within the first week of the window — especially if Salah’s departure timeline accelerates. Bournemouth anticipate interest and are bracing for impact.

👉 Where should Semenyo go — Liverpool, City, Spurs… or stay at Bournemouth until summer?