Sky Sports: Liverpool Favourites to Sign £50m “Mønster”; Wirtz Can Make Him Unplayable
When Harvey Elliott was questioned during his time with England’s U21s about his future at Liverpool, he admitted to being cautious about “wasting years of my career” as a backup option under Arne Slot’s management.
Despite being a promising playmaker, Elliott only made two starts in the Premier League last season, and both appearances came in May. Although he has a strong emotional connection to the Merseysiders, the 22-year-old now understandably seeks a more consistent starting role.
Could the arrival of Florian Wirtz be influencing this situation?
The German international recently turned down offers from both Manchester City and Bayern Munich. After extended talks, Liverpool have now made a breakthrough with Bayer Leverkusen, agreeing to what will become a British-record transfer.
There had been a sense of unease among some Liverpool supporters, concerned that the long-anticipated move for Wirtz might collapse.
However, the Reds have finalised the transfer, and Wirtz, also 22, will be donning Liverpool colours. While negotiations stretched longer than expected, the club have successfully secured a deal for a player widely described as a “truly generational talent” by sports journalist Cristian Nyari.
Bayer Leverkusen proved to be tough negotiators, determined to extract maximum value from the deal. With all bonuses included, the total fee could reach as high as €150 million (£127 million).
Wirtz has established himself as one of the most coveted young players in world football, especially under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. His addition is set to elevate Liverpool’s attacking line significantly and could even help develop another transfer target into a standout performer.
Liverpool Have Advantage in Race for Premier League Star
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool have entered the race to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, joining Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their pursuit. The Ghana international has delivered an impressive season on the south coast, drawing interest from top Premier League sides.
While Manchester United are also monitoring the situation, it’s believed that Semenyo prefers a move to a club involved in the Champions League. This preference places Liverpool ahead of their long-standing rivals, especially after United missed out on all European competitions by losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
At present, Tottenham have made the most progress in their approach for the talented winger. Bournemouth, however, have made it clear that they would only consider letting him go for a fee in the region of £50 million.
Why Liverpool Are Targeting Antoine Semenyo
Although Mohamed Salah remains the dominant force on Liverpool’s right wing, the club are assessing new options due to the uncertain future of Federico Chiesa. After a challenging debut season in the Premier League that saw him make only six appearances, Chiesa is reportedly keen on returning to Italy, prompting Liverpool to look elsewhere.
Semenyo, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10.5 million in January 2023, has seen his reputation grow steadily. Under manager Andoni Iraola, he has evolved into a key figure in the Cherries’ setup.
Equally adept with both feet and known for his explosive pace, the 25-year-old fits well into Arne Slot’s tactical vision. His relentless work ethic aligns closely with the demands of Liverpool’s pressing style of play.
Moreover, Semenyo’s football intelligence and ability to link up with teammates would likely flourish in a dynamic Liverpool side, especially with Florian Wirtz expected to take on a central creative role.
Antoine Semenyo is not merely a powerful finisher—he has also earned praise from analyst Ben Mattinson, who described him as a “duel monster” for his fierce determination to win back possession and drive the attack forward.
This level of energy and precision would likely complement Florian Wirtz’s style perfectly. With Wirtz’s creative flair, Semenyo’s relentless ball-striking ability could form a highly effective partnership.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has also commended Semenyo for perfecting what he called the “Salah goal” — the knack for finding space in the box and finishing with ruthless intent. With Chiesa increasingly linked to a return to Italy, Semenyo may prove to be an ideal contender to challenge Mohamed Salah for the right-wing spot.
Importantly, Semenyo’s versatility extends far beyond just one position.
| Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth Stats by Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Right winger | 46 | 13 | 3 |
| Left winger | 29 | 7 | 5 |
| Centre-forward | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Stats Source: Transfermarkt | |||
Where exactly Antoine Semenyo would fit best within Liverpool’s system remains uncertain if the move goes ahead. However, his ability to consistently score from either wing is encouraging, particularly with a creative force like Florian Wirtz operating just behind him.
Wirtz, who enjoys freedom across the pitch, has been labelled a “genius” on the ball by his former Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso — a testament to his exceptional footballing intelligence.
Though still early in his career, Wirtz has made a significant impact in his 197 professional appearances for Leverkusen, amassing 57 goals and 65 assists. His standout performances earned him the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season award, after helping guide his side to an unbeaten title-winning campaign.
Wirtz’s creativity is further underlined by his statistical output. According to FBref, he ranked in the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for assists last season, and was also among the top 7% for both shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90 minutes.
Semenyo, with his appetite for goals, could be an ideal match for Wirtz. The combination of Wirtz’s boundless creative vision and Semenyo’s attacking instincts could provide Liverpool with a potent new dimension in the final third.
Bringing Semenyo into the fold may well be the strategic move needed to inject further depth and dynamism into Arne Slot’s squad, strengthening Liverpool’s position as a dominant force in European football.
In other news, Club Manager Says Liverpool Want to Sign ‘One of the Best Strikers in the World’
