Liverpool now look likely to miss out on one of their winger targets as they search for a replacement for Mo Salah this summer. The Reds are expected to be active in this transfer window despite spending huge amounts ahead of last season.
A change of manager means a change of identity, and Andoni Iraola will be overseeing a very different style of football to that of Arne Slot, meaning the Spaniard needs his own signings. Victor Munoz was the first, and there will be more to follow, especially after they lost Salah and Ibrahima Konate this summer.
But the search for a new winger has not gone smoothly so far, and there is no better news on that front.
Liverpool expected to miss out on Akliouche
Maghnes Akliouche looks on during an AS Monaco match
Liverpool now look set to miss out on AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, who has been tracked by a number of clubs this summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, two Premier League sides and PSG have been pushing to land the 24-year-old, and Liverpool are said to be one of those clubs.
In a fresh update, Romano has reported that PSG are set to offload Kang-in Lee to Atletico Madrid to make room for Akliouche, and that deal is said to be on track.
Romano's latest post on X reads: "The plan remains clear: Kang-in Lee to Atlético Madrid and PSG advancing to get Maghnes Akliouche."
Monaco are expecting to bring in between 60million euros (£51.3million) and 70million euros (£59.8million) this summer.
Liverpool can still make a late move, but it appears time is running out, with PSG the clear favourites at this point, reportedly agreeing personal terms with the player, who is currently with France at the World Cup.
Akliouche's big progression at Monaco
Akliouchevia Reuters
Akliouche has impressed for Monaco in the last year, in particular, racking up 10 assists to win the club's player of the season. Monaco boss Adi Hutter said: "He has made a huge progression. For me, he is an international-level player.
“He can be happy that he is an example [of our academy], the same as Eliesse, who came from the Groupe Élite and is now with the pros. When I arrived last season, I saw he was a talent but when you are upfront or a No.10, you have to bring stats, and set up or score goals. He brings us lots of stats. With two goals, he was for sure the key player tonight,”
Monaco star Denis Zakaria added: “We see him progressing. “He is a different player to the one from the start of last season. Before he was a bit of a ‘kid’ but he has matured. In his game, he often makes the right decisions. He is really a very good player."
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