Richard Hughes could sign Liverpool’s next Sadio Mane for just £60m this summer- opinion

Since Sadio Mane’s exit in 2022, it seems like Liverpool are yet to have successfully replaced him.

Luis Diaz could extend his contract but his time at Anfield has been a bit of a mixed bag — as the Colombian is yet to convince Arne Slot whether he is at his best on the left-wing or up front.

Cody Gakpo has improved this season but it would premature for Liverpool to hang their hat on the Dutchman as the ongoing campaign is the first one where he has convinced.

Barring Mohamed Salah, the Reds lack a bona fide superstar in their forward line, something Sadio Mane was from the moment he signed for the Merseyside-based club.

Antoine Semenyo could be Liverpool’s next Sadio Mane if they signed him

However, in Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool could sign the perfect successor to Mane if they decided to make a move for him this summer.

Semenyo’s quality is not comparable to the Senegalese international’s but his profile and the stage the Ghanaian international is at in his career are before the latter made the move to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Much like Mane, the AFC Bournemouth wideman can play on both flanks at a high level, dribble past opponents for fun, has searing pace and an incredible work ethic.

Ola Aina referred to Semenyo as “underrated”, a word that could have been used to describe Mane at Southampton as he had everything in his locker but perhaps did not get his plaudits due to not having a flashy playing style.

However, the former Bristol City forward, much like the Champions League winner is effective — providing 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions — four less than the latter’s tally during his final season at Southampton.

Semenyo, who is valued at £60 million is the complete winger and one who has a more well-rounded skillset than both Diaz and Gakpo — who are not as proficient crossers, as outlets and even off the ball — with the Cherries speedster being an outstanding presser.

While eyebrows might be raised at Liverpool potentially paying such a fee to sign Semenyo, the same must have been the reaction when they tried to sign Mane in 2016 — who managed to become a legend at Anfield despite not being a massive name in the game eight years ago.

Semenyo has already hinted he is open to Liverpool move

Liverpool have scouted Semenyo, who told Sky Sports that he is ready to leave Bournemouth in favour of a move to a Champions League club — which adds to the parallel to Mane who departed Southampton when he was one year younger (24) to the latter.

“Yeah, any team that plays Champions League, Europa [League], that’s the aim.”

“I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take goals. It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances.”

Semenyo concluded: “But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality.”

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