Liverpool may have thought the January window would be quiet, but a new twist has appeared from the south coast. Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reportedly has a hidden clause in his contract — one that could change Liverpool’s plans faster than a late VAR check.
The details of this clause, and the short time window attached to it, now raise big questions for Arne Slot as he weighs up his attacking options. And the real curiosity? The clause only exists for two weeks.
A clause that opens and closes in January for Antoine Semenyo
Reports from England (via The Athletic) claim Semenyo’s contract includes a £65 million release clause, but it can only be activated during the first two weeks of January.
After that, Bournemouth regain full control of negotiations. The two-week limit is designed to give them time to bring in a replacement if the 25-year-old is snapped up.
Sky Sports say the structure of the deal would be £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons, and Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring the situation. Manchester City and Tottenham are also said to be circling.
If Semenyo does not move in January, the clause reportedly drops in value for the summer, though the exact number remains unclear.
For a club that signs players with the precision of a well-timed through ball, this narrow window puts Liverpool under pressure to act early.
A surprise gap in Liverpool’s attack?
Liverpool already added Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz last summer, but Semenyo offers something their current forwards do not.
He is homegrown, Premier League proven, and comfortable across all three attacking roles. His pace and power also give the Reds a profile they lost when Sadio Mané left — and have not quite replaced.
The Ghana international has been in sharp form this season, scoring six goals and registering three assists in 12 appearances. Last season, he delivered 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
He has played on both wings and even as a central forward, making him the sort of player managers love when the fixture list gets congested.
And here’s a bonus: Ghana did not qualify for AFCON, meaning Semenyo would be available when Mohamed Salah leaves in December.
But there is a complication. Semenyo recently withdrew from Ghana’s squad with an ankle ligament sprain. The Ghana FA described it as: “Left anterior talo-fibula ligament sprain, which was aggravated during the game against Japan.”
The injury does not appear serious, but it comes at a delicate moment — right when clubs are preparing their January plans.
Liverpool’s big decision
Semenyo has downplayed speculation, telling Sky Sports: “I don’t think about it too much… I try to stay present as much as I can… whatever happens in the future happens.”
Bournemouth are ninth in the Premier League and have little interest in losing one of their most important players mid-season. But a release clause is a release clause.
For Liverpool, the question becomes simple: Is Semenyo worth pushing for now, or is he someone to revisit in the summer when the price reportedly drops?
What Anfield Home thinks?
Semenyo would bring attributes Liverpool could use immediately — pace, strength, and versatility across the front line. His availability during AFCON is a major plus.
But the £65m January fee feels steep, especially with the window only open for two quick weeks.
If Liverpool want a long-term Salah successor, Semenyo could be part of the plan. But the smarter move may be waiting until summer, when the price drops and negotiations open up.