Confusion over delay in Antoine Semenyo’s move to Man City… ‘Liverpool might come in’

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Liverpool had expected to be beaten to Antoine Semenyo this January after Manchester City sped ahead in the transfer race.

The Bournemouth winger has been on fire this season, hitting nine Premier League goals and three assists in 18 appearances.

Semenyo‘s good form – and the presence of an affordable £65m release clause in his contract – led to a scramble amongst the Premier League’s top sides this winter.

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Sadly for Liverpool, City quickly emerged as Semenyo’s preferred destination, with the Ghanaian poised to join Pep Guardiola’s team since the end of December.

However, there were suggestions heading into the New Year that Liverpool may still try and sign Semenyo if a deal had not been concluded by January 1st. With two days having now passed since that key date, journalist Mark Ogden has attempted to explain the delay in Semenyo’s arrival at City.

Liverpool might still try for Antoine Semenyo

It has been widely reported that Semenyo’s release clause must be triggered by January 10th in order to be valid.

With time beginning to run out, City fans may be growing nervous that someone could pip them to the 25-year-old.

READ MORE: What Liverpool’s move for Ifeanyi Ndukwe means for fans’ hopes of a first-team January arrival

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Indo Sport podcast, though, Ogden suggested that Semenyo has made his choice, and wants to join the Sky Blues. Nevertheless, the reporter admitted that the delay in the deal being done is slightly unclear, but could relate to Bournemouth’s wish to have him feature in their next two matches.

“I do think it will get done, but I’d be surprised if he plays tomorrow [Saturday vs Arsenal],” Ogden said. “But if that’s what Bournemouth and Iraola want him to do, then he’ll play, and it could put things at risk. But I think City, obviously, they’re prepared to trigger the release clause, so I don’t quite know what the delay is.

“If the escape clause is triggered, then there’s not really much to negotiate, so there is a sense that Liverpool might come in, but it seems that Semenyo has made his decision, and he’s going to go to City.”

With Antoine Semenyo looking unlikely, which forward should Liverpool sign instead?

They need someone to fill in for Isak 🤕

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Is there still a slim chance for Liverpool?

Bournemouth have seemingly been clear that they would like to keep Semenyo for their next two matches, which come against Arsenal on Saturday and Tottenham on Wednesday.

If his move to City is still on the back-burner by that time, then perhaps Liverpool could begin to get some confidence that they could pull off a hijack.

In the meantime, though, this simply feels like Man City showing respect for Bournemouth and their player. As Ogden says, they could trigger the clause whenever they feel like it, so are under no obligation to grant the Cherries their wish.

Club-to-club relations are more important than ever, however, and that is likely what is going on here. Given Richard Hughes’ history with Bournemouth, it is also probable that Liverpool are doing the same, if they still plan on moving for Semenyo at all. We think that seems entirely unlikely right now, but until he is unveiled in a City shirt, anything is theoretically possible.