For much of the last few months, the conversation around transfers and Arsenal has focused on their need for a new number nine.
It's not hard to understand why that is, as by the end of last season, Mikel Arteta's side had scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool and three fewer than Manchester City, despite finishing second in the Premier League.
However, while the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Ollie Watkins would all surely help the North Londoners score more goals, it would also make sense for them to bolster their winger and midfield options.
Arsenal 2025 summer shortlist transfers
Fortunately, that appears to be what they are planning to do, as reports have now linked them with a tremendously exciting talent who has won comparisons to Bukayo Saka and Rodrygo.
Arsenal target wide talents
While a new striker is high on Arsenal's list of priorities this summer, more wide talent appears to be just as important to Arteta and Co, as evidenced by links to players such as Noni Madueke and Rodrygo.
The former could be available for around £50m, and while he won't necessarily excite the fans, he is homegrown and familiar with the Premier League.
Rodrygo, on the other hand, is neither of those things, but with two Champions League titles to his name and a tally of 25 goal involvements in 53 appearances last season, he feels like he's be more than worth the £85m it could cost to sign him.
Other Rodrygo
With that said, another exciting talent has now entered the frame, someone who's not only been compared to the Brazilian but also to Saka.
Yes, according to a recent report from French outlet L'Équipe, Arsenal are interested in AS Monaco gem Maghnes Akliouche.
The report has revealed that while in talks with Viktor Gyokeres' agent, Andrea Berta also inquired about the 23-year-old, who has the same agent.
The report further explains that should the Gunners wish to pursue the French talent, they'd have to pay the Ligue 1 side around €70m, which is about £60m.
AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche
It would be a surprising signing, but given Akliouche's ability and potential, Arsenal should continue exploring it, especially as he has been compared to Saka and Rodrygo.
How Akliouche compares to Saka & Rodrygo
In this instance, the primary comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo stem from FBref, which analysed players in similar positions in the Champions League this season and concluded that the Arsenal star was the fifth most similar midfielder to Akliouche, and the Real Madrid player was the tenth most similar.
Akliouche & Saka
Statistics per 90
Assists
Tackles + Interceptions
Carries
Successful Take-On %
Attempted Long Passes
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 UCL Campaign
You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the Frenchman ranked closely to the two internationals. In the Englishman's case, these metrics included assists, tackles plus interceptions, carries, and more, all per 90.
In the case of the Brazilian, the underlying numbers included metrics such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, goal-creating actions, progressive carries, and more, all per 90.
Akliouche & Rodrygo
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Progressive Carries
Key Passes
Goal-Creating Actions
Expected Assists
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 UCL Campaign
With that said, while sharing some key statistical similarities with two of the most exciting wingers in the game is certainly encouraging and suggests the Monaco ace has a bright future, it's not the only argument for why the Gunners should sign him.
Another key one would be his output for last season.
In 43 appearances, totalling 3301 minutes, the brilliant 23-year-old, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig describes as having a "left foot made of gold," scored seven goals and provided 12 assists.
That means he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.26 games, or every 173.73 minutes, and also means he would have been the joint fourth most productive player among Arteta's squad.
maghnes-akliouche-monaco
Ultimately, Akliouche might not be the most well-known player among Premier League fans, but he appears to be something truly special, and therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.
Chelsea-Madueke Related
[£60m Madueke upgrade: Arsenal eyeing "one of the fastest players in the PL"](https://www.footballfancast.com/madueke-upgrade-arsenal-eyeing-move-for-anthony-elanga/ "£60m Madueke upgrade: Arsenal eyeing "one of the fastest players in the PL"")
Arsenal could sign a winger who's one of the fastest players in the Premier League.