Liverpool now looking at signing “one of the best LWs in Europe”, he’s way better than Semenyo – report…

Liverpool is now considering the acquisition of “one of the top left wingers in Europe,” who is significantly superior to Semenyo – this is a viewpoint.

Last Christmas, Arne Slot’s Liverpool was at the pinnacle of the Premier League, holding a seven-point lead over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Currently, Arsenal has taken the lead in the standings, boasting a ten-point advantage over the Reds, who will approach their match against Wolverhampton Wanderers after the holiday, hoping for a rise in the league.

Regrettably for Slot and his team, recent developments at Anfield have not been entirely positive, even though the Reds are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, with Antoine Semenyo appearing more likely to depart for another club rather than the anticipated move to Merseyside…

Liverpool shifts its attention to a new winger.

A surprising obstacle has emerged in Liverpool’s highly publicized pursuit of the Ghanaian player.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, via X, Semenyo’s preferred destination away from the Cherries is now Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, as all other interested parties have been notified, with his £65m release clause about to be activated.

This news will be difficult for Liverpool to accept, as Semenyo has blossomed into a Premier League star on the South Coast, but the disappointment of potentially missing out on the 25-year-old may be alleviated if the reigning champions can successfully target an alternative.

As reported by Caught Offside, Liverpool has redirected its efforts to acquire Paris St Germain talent Bradley Barcola instead, with the Reds’ recruitment team ramping up their observation of the skillful Frenchman, whom they view as a long-term investment and a ‘key alternative’ to Semenyo.

Additionally, they are prepared for a possible deal due to Barcola’s reluctance to sign a new contract at Parc Des Princes, with Slot recognized as a significant admirer of the number 29.

Although Semenyo possesses Premier League experience, one could argue that Liverpool securing a deal for the talented 23-year-old—previously valued at £100m—might actually represent a more advantageous signing in the long term, especially considering Barcola’s impressive performances on significant stages for PSG.

Reasons why Barcola may be a superior signing compared to Semenyo

Barcola has excelled in Ligue 1 from a young age, with a notable goal against his current team occurring back in 2023, when he was a rising star making his mark in the first team at Lyon.

Currently, the Lyon-born forward has accumulated 28 goals and 29 assists solely in Ligue 1, alongside an impressive total of 31 goals and 33 assists for one of France’s top clubs, PSG, where he regularly competes in the Champions League.

While Semenyo garners attention in the Premier League, he has yet to experience the same prestigious environment as Barcola, who played a crucial role in helping PSG secure the Champions League title last season, contributing 11 goals in Europe’s top competition.

Furthermore, the £65m forward, despite surpassing Barcola in league goals this season with an impressive eight compared to the Frenchman’s five, has only 43 goal contributions overall for the Cherries. This contrasts sharply with Barcola’s previously mentioned total of 64 in France. Their respective FBref statistics from the past year also highlight some deficiencies in the former Bristol City striker’s game.

Indeed, despite his remarkable form, the Man City-linked forward falls short in several aspects of his diverse skill set when compared to the 18-time France international, with Barcola registering more shots and shot-creating actions over the past year, at first glance.

Upon examining the table more closely, Barcola surpasses his Bournemouth rival in both average progressive passes and progressive carries. Hugo Ekitike must be excited to partner with such an adventurous attacker, who has been referred to as “one of the best left wingers in Europe” by scout Ben Mattinson.

Semenyo has also received considerable acclaim for his outstanding performance on the South Coast, with journalist Owuraku Ampofo describing him as “incredible” to watch.

However, there is no assurance that he would be able to showcase his best form for the Cherries at Anfield.

In contrast, Barcola has consistently performed at a high level for several years, both in domestic competitions and on Europe’s biggest stage. Investing in his talents could represent a remarkable and lavish next move.