As Mohamed Salah prepares for his farewell party and a move away from Anfield this summer, Liverpool have intensified their search for a world-class replacement, with Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche emerging as a primary target.
However, reports from France suggest the Reds will face a significant battle to secure the 24 year old winger.
Both Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain are said to have entered the race for the attacker, who is valued by the Ligue 1 club at approximately £52m.
The vacancy on the right wing is arguably the most difficult position to fill in world football given Salah’s legendary impact over the last nine years.
Akliouche has enjoyed a breakout season in France, displaying the kind of technical proficiency and goal scoring instinct that has caught the eye of Liverpool’s recruitment team.
While the Reds have been long standing admirers of West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen, the age profile and potential of Akliouche makes him a highly attractive alternative for the long term project under Arne Slot.
The financial implications of the deal are significant, but with Salah’s high wages coming off the books, Liverpool are expected to have the room to manoeuvre.
Former players have urged the club not to rush into a panic buy, with some suggesting internal solutions like Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak could be utilised.
However, the lure of a specialist winger like Akliouche remains strong. As the summer window approaches, the pressure is on the recruitment department to identify a player capable of carrying the burden of being the club’s next talismanic figure in a new era.
