Liverpool Urged Not to Sign £65m Star as Talks 'confirmed' Over January Deal

Liverpool have been urged by one of their club legends not to sign a Premier League star for a reported £65m who is coveted by several sides.

The Anfield side are experiencing a difficult season after winning the 2024/25 Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge on Merseyside.

The summer transfer window saw Liverpool spend nearly £450m as Slot opted to revamp his squad after making barely any changes after first arriving from Feyenoord in mid-2024 as Jurgen Klopp's replacement.

Approaching £250m alone was committed to the purchases of striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were also acquired, the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were sold, while there was also the tragic passing of Diogo Jota who died along with his brother in a car accident in Spain.

However, the changes made by Slot over the summer have not paid off and Liverpool have lost six Premier League games so far this season as the halfway point of the campaign approaches, and are well off the pace of Arsenal and Manchester City, who are the current top two in the league.

There is also uncertainty over Mo Salah's long-term future following his outburst after the 3-3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

With it looking unlikely that Liverpool will retain their title this season, eyes are turning towards the upcoming January transfer window.

Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth. (Image: Getty)

One of the players who is tipped to be on the move next month is Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo, who is having a great campaign with the Cherries.

However, the 25-year-old, who arrived from Bristol City at the Vitality Stadium in January 2023 for £10m, is reported to have a release clause in his deal worth £65m which can be activated next month.

A host of clubs have been linked with his services, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

It has also been reported that several clubs, including the Anfield side, have opened talks with Semenyo over a potential January switch.

But Liverpool legend John Barnes - who scored 106 goals in 403 games for the club in all competitions - believes his old side should not be strengthening their options in the final third again, given how much money was spent on that area of the squad in the summer.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Barnes said: "January is not a time to sign players. And if you look at what we have, we haven't got a problem scoring goals and creating chances. We've got [Cody] Gakpo, we've got Isak, we've got Wirtz, we still have Mo. We have [Rio] Ngumoha. That is not a problem for us.

"So, of course, if you then feel that long-term you want him, but I don't think January is a time to be signing players.

"From Liverpool's perspective, the solution to the problem isn't just signing players. We signed £400m pounds worth of players, didn't we? So what, we're going to sign some more now for £65m? And then if that doesn't work, you're going to sign for another one for £100m in January? No, we have a good enough squad.

“He's a good player. The club have to decide. I think we have problems in other positions that we need to look at before Semenyo. But that's not me not saying that he's a good player and if he comes to Liverpool, he would be welcomed."