As the Premier League season hits its stride, reigning champions Liverpool FC are reportedly accelerating their search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. Salah, has penned a two-year contract extension in April 2025 that ties him to Anfield until the summer of 2027, it is also said as the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack since his arrival from AS Roma in 2017. Salah is set to depart for Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations campaign in January 2026, leaving a gaping hole on the right flank during a congested fixture list.
Reports claim that AFC Bournemouth's forward Antoine Semenyo is emerging as the prime target for Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah. According to a report, the Reds view the 25-year-old Ghanaian international to eventually step
into the void left by the Egyptian footballer. Capable of operating on either flank or as a central striker, Semenyo’s 41 goal contributions across all competitions last term underline his elite-level potential. “Antoine is in a lovely moment; full of confidence, finishing with both feet, and solid defensively,” Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola reportedly gushed earlier this month. Yet, as transfer speculation intensifies, Iraola adopted a pragmatic stance when pressed on rumors of a release clause in Semenyo's recently extended contract. “I don’t know anything about the contracts of the players. I don’t know how much they earn and don’t want to know either,” the Spaniard said ahead of his side's clash with Crystal Palace. He further said “The most important thing for me is that he continues playing well. If he does, there will be more noise, but it’s something we take if he’s playing well. My concern is to keep him in the spot where he’s playing well.”
Mohamed Salah has amassed over 250 goals for Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has amassed over 250 goals for the club, including pivotal strikes in their 2024-25 title triumph under new manager Arne Slot. Yet, with just two goals and three assists in his first nine appearances this season, questions reportedly swirl around his output. The timing of Liverpool's interest in Antoine Semenyo couldn't be more poignant. Semenyo, by contrast, will be fully available after Ghana's heartbreaking failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations campaign. His logistical edge, combined with the forward's blistering start to the season, six goals in eight league games, including a memorable brace in Bournemouth's shock 2-1 opening-day win over Liverpool at Anfield has reportedly convinced the Anfield hierarchy that he could provide immediate competition and a seamless transition.
Semenyo is not the only name on Liverpool's right-wing shortlist, however. The club has reportedly maintained a keen eye on Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, who has notched 25 goals and 29 assists in 64 appearances for the Bavarians and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, whose Euro 2024 interests have reportedly reignited Liverpool’s interest. Semenyo's rise from Bristol City loanee to Premier League sensation has not gone unnoticed. Signed by Bournemouth in January 2023 for a modest £10 million under the guidance of current Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who orchestrated the deal during his time at Dean Court, the winger has reportedly evolved into a versatile threat.
