Liverpool's Interest in Maghnes Akliouche: A Winger Target

Liverpool’s search for life after Mohamed Salah has taken them back to the winger market – but, for now, Maghnes Akliouche is a name on a whiteboard rather than a deal on the table.

The Monaco wide man has been strongly linked with Anfield in recent days, yet the picture behind the headlines is far less dramatic. According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have not made a concrete move for the 22-year-old and are currently watching from the fringes while Paris Saint-Germain drive the negotiations.

Liverpool have already paid big to refresh their flanks this summer, bringing in Spain international Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a deal worth around €40m. That signing was never going to close the door on another winger, though. The club made it clear back in March that Salah would be allowed to seek a new challenge, and you don’t casually replace that level of output with a single signing.

Early in the window, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande sat at the top of Liverpool’s list. Then came the twist: reports that the player preferred PSG. Now the same Parisian pull is shaping the Akliouche chase.

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas revealed that Liverpool had made an initial approach to Monaco and checked on the availability of the France youth international, who has also been tracked by PSG. It was enough to spark talk of a potential hijack.

Romano poured cold water on that idea.

On his YouTube channel, he stressed that his information “has not changed” despite the noise around Liverpool: PSG have an agreement with Akliouche, the player wants to join the French champions, and talks between PSG and Monaco are ongoing. The key detail is that the clubs have not yet finalised a fee, leaving a narrow crack in the door – but only that.

Romano pointed to the volatility of the market, referencing the late twist in Morgan Rogers’ move earlier this year as a reminder that nothing is done until contracts are signed. Even so, his stance is clear: PSG are “firmly in control of the situation” and pushing to close the transfer as quickly as possible.

From Liverpool’s side, the tone is more exploratory than aggressive.

The Athletic’s James Pearce described Akliouche as “a possibility, rather than a kind of definite” target for the Reds. Speaking on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast, he said Liverpool had held discussions and that an approach had been made earlier in the window, but stressed that the Monaco winger is just one of several names being assessed before the club decide how to reshape their attack.

Akliouche would represent a substantial investment, though still short of the very top shelf. Pearce suggested a price in the region of €50–60m, and framed him as a cheaper alternative to Bradley Barcola if Liverpool were unable to prise the PSG man away from Paris.

So Liverpool wait, weighing options, running scenarios. PSG, once again, are trying to lock down one of Europe’s brightest wide talents. The question now is simple: do Liverpool stay patient with their broader shortlist, or are they prepared to crash the party if PSG’s talks with Monaco stall?