Liverpool continue to eye a summer move for Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, and they could reportedly become favourites to snap him up.
Mohamed Salah plays his final game for the Reds at home to Brentford on Sunday, assuming Arne Slot plays him after his social media outburst over the weekend.
Liverpool have to nail the choice of the 33-year-old’s successor, with a host of names thrown into the hat, from Yan Diomande to Anthony Gordon.
Speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke said Liverpool will be favourites to sign Akliouche if it becomes a straight shootout with Tottenham for his signature:
“Maghnes Akliouche is obviously a player who’s been on Tottenham’s radar for a long time. But it’ll be difficult for Spurs to land him in this summer window because they’re not going to be able to offer European football and especially Champions League football.
“I would imagine Akliouche is keen to play in the Champions League next season. Liverpool are in the mix now for Akliouche as well as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, so that would make things more difficult for Tottenham as well.
“Liverpool would be the favourites in that one if it came down to it because of what they will likely be able to offer the winger. There’s been interest from clubs in the Premier League for a while now. Monaco are well aware of the growing interest in him and probably would sell at the right price.”
Can Maghnes Akliouche light up Liverpool as Mo Salah’s successor?
Akliouche stands out as a high-level option for Liverpool this summer, with the 24-year-old a footballer of immense talent, with scout Jacek Kulig calling him a “joy to watch” in the past.
The £43.3m-rated Frenchman has 51 goal contributions in 139 appearances for Monaco, including six goals and assists apiece in Ligue 1 this season, and those tallies should only improve with age, and surrounded by better players at Anfield.
Akliouche can excel as a right winger, but also in an attacking midfield role, with such versatility always likely to appeal in terms of added squad depth.
Liverpool now have to weigh up if the seven-cap France international is the best choice to replace Salah, but he certainly looks like an exciting option with talent and end product aplenty.