Liverpool approaches Monaco for Akliouche to replace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool has initiated talks for Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche as new manager Andoni Iraola seeks a cost-effective replacement for Mohamed Salah in a competitive European transfer market.
Liverpool has formally approached Monaco regarding the availability of 24-year-old winger Maghnes Akliouche. The Premier League club is seeking to secure the France international as they restructure their attacking options following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
The move places Liverpool in direct competition with Paris Saint-Germain for the player's signature. The Ligue 1 champions have already submitted multiple bids for Akliouche, with their most recent offer valued at approximately £34m, or €40m, which Monaco rejected.
This pursuit highlights Liverpool's shifting financial strategy under new manager Andoni Iraola. The club previously explored a move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, but negotiations stalled when Leipzig demanded £112m and Liverpool capped their valuation at £86m.
Akliouche represents a potentially more accessible asset with strong underlying performance metrics. He recorded six goals and six assists across 31 Ligue 1 appearances last season, ranking highly for ball carrying, chance creation, and high turnovers.
These statistics align with the high-pressing tactical system Iraola intends to implement at Anfield. The 24-year-old is expected to operate on the right wing, allowing Florian Wirtz to build on his debut season in a central role.
Liverpool has already invested £34.5m to acquire Victor Munoz from Osasuna this window. However, Iraola acknowledged the need for further squad reinforcement during a press conference ahead of a pre-season friendly against Sunderland in the United States.
"We definitely need to sign a winger," Iraola stated, confirming the club's priority to bolster their wide options. Regarding the total volume of incoming transfers, he admitted: "No, I think it's difficult to say a number when the market is open."
The manager emphasized the need to evaluate market costs and assess existing squad depth, particularly regarding injured players in key positions. Akliouche, who was on the bench for France's 6-4 World Cup third-place play-off defeat to England, remains a primary target in this ongoing recruitment drive.
