Liverpool are on the hunt for reinforcements on the wing, and the race to sign Maghnes Akliouche has taken a fresh twist
Monaco have reportedly rejected a fourth offer from PSG for Liverpool target Maghnes Akliouche.
Monaco have reportedly rejected a fourth offer from PSG for Liverpool target Maghnes Akliouche.(Image: Photo by Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP via Getty Images)
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AS Monaco have reportedly rejected a fourth Paris Saint-Germain bid for Liverpool target Maghnes Akliouche. The Reds had made an approach to the Ligue 1 side over the 24-year-old as they assessed the market for wingers in light of Mohamed Salah's exit.
According to L'Equipe, PSG have had a fourth bid for the France international, worth a reported €45million (£38m), rejected by their French top-flight rivals. It has been said that the reigning Ligue 1 and Champions League holders have no intention of overpaying for the attacker, who is into the final two years of his deal with the sovereign state.
The Parisiens' failure to land the forward could spark Liverpool into action, it has been reported, should PSG and Monaco fail to reach an agreement. But both Ligue 1 sides are said to continue negotiations.
The ECHO reported last week that Monaco were contacted by Anfield chiefs earlier in the transfer window to check on his availability.
However, Monaco face a difficult decision over their first-team regular as Foot Mercato have claimed that Akliouche has his sights on linking up with Luis Enrique, and that he's told Liverpool he has decided he wants to join PSG.
Andoni Iraola has made it no secret that the Liverpool side he inherited is in need of reinforcements. The Basque tactician has highlighted his desire for attacking additions in wide areas.
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Earlier in pre-season, he said: "I think it is difficult to say a number. When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad.
"There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. Winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.
"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."
Iraola could get what he asked for as Liverpool are set for talks with PSG star Bradley Barcola. The Reds are looking to step up their pursuit of the France international, having received encouragement after preliminary talks with the 23-year-old's representatives.
Liverpool are readying negotiations with the Parisiens but could be forced to break their transfer record with the European champions valuing the frontman for around £140million, a fee that Liverpool are unlikely to meet with a middle-ground needing to be found with Enrique's side.
Barcola has two years remaining on his contract at the Parc des Princes but suggestions are that they are unable to reach an agreement with the forward over new terms.
In each of PSG's Champions League triumphs, the Frenchman has been introduced off the bench in both.