Liverpool have reportedly made initial contact with AS Monaco regarding the possible availability of Maghnes Akliouche, placing the Premier League club alongside Paris Saint-Germain in the growing competition for one of French football’s most highly rated attacking talents.
The approach is understood to be preliminary rather than a formal offer. Liverpool have checked the conditions under which Monaco might consider selling the 24-year-old winger and attacking midfielder, but there is no indication that the clubs have reached an agreement or entered advanced negotiations.
Akliouche remains a Monaco player, and the Ligue 1 club are in a strong negotiating position. He has become an established member of their first team, gained senior international experience with France and demonstrated that he can influence matches in both domestic and European competition.
Paris Saint-Germain have maintained a long-standing interest in the player and may offer the most natural domestic destination should Monaco eventually approve a sale. Liverpool, however, can present a different challenge: the opportunity to compete in the Premier League and become part of an evolving attacking project at Anfield.
The transfer race is therefore likely to depend on several factors, including Monaco’s valuation, the seriousness of Liverpool’s interest, PSG’s willingness to improve their proposal and Akliouche’s own preference.
For now, Liverpool’s contact represents an important first step rather than proof that a transfer is close.
Liverpool Begin Exploring a Potential Deal
Liverpool’s reported inquiry appears to have focused on understanding whether Akliouche is genuinely available during the summer transfer window.
Major clubs frequently make this type of preliminary approach before deciding whether to submit an official offer. Sporting directors may contact a player’s club, representatives or intermediaries to establish the expected transfer fee, salary demands and level of interest from rival teams.
Such conversations allow a club to determine whether a deal is realistic without committing significant resources.
In Akliouche’s case, Liverpool are believed to be assessing several attacking options. Their recruitment department will compare players according to tactical suitability, age, physical profile, expected cost and long-term value.
Reports suggest the contact may have occurred before the World Cup, indicating that Akliouche has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time. Follow-up coverage has also suggested that the inquiry should not yet be interpreted as evidence that he is the club’s leading target.
That distinction is important.
Liverpool may admire Akliouche while continuing to explore alternative wingers. Transfer windows are rarely built around a single negotiation, particularly when several elite clubs are competing for the same player.
Nevertheless, contacting Monaco demonstrates meaningful interest. Liverpool would not need to make an inquiry unless they believed Akliouche possessed qualities capable of strengthening their squad.
Why Maghnes Akliouche Appeals to Liverpool
Maghnes Akliouche is an attractive target because he combines technical quality, creativity and positional versatility.
He is naturally left-footed and has often operated from the right side of the attack. From that position, he can move inside onto his stronger foot, combine with midfielders or attempt shots from central areas.
He is not limited to playing as a traditional winger.
Akliouche can also operate as an attacking midfielder, occupy the space between an opponent’s midfield and defence or move into deeper positions to help progress possession.
This versatility would give Liverpool several tactical options.
He could start wide and create space for an overlapping full-back. He could move centrally when Liverpool dominate possession, effectively becoming another playmaker. He could also interchange with a striker or attacking midfielder to make the team less predictable.
His close control is one of his most noticeable strengths.
Akliouche can receive the ball in crowded areas and protect it under pressure. Rather than relying exclusively on speed, he uses changes of direction, balance and intelligent touches to escape defenders.
That quality can be particularly valuable against opponents who defend with a compact block.
Liverpool often face teams prepared to surrender possession and protect the area around their penalty box. Breaking down those structures requires attackers who can create an advantage in limited space.
Akliouche’s imagination and technical security could provide another solution.
A Player Developed Through Monaco’s System
Monaco’s reputation for developing young players is one of the strongest in European football.
The club have regularly identified talented prospects, introduced them to senior competition and prepared them for major transfers. Their academy and recruitment network have produced or developed numerous players who later joined leading clubs across Europe.
Akliouche is another example of that pathway.
Born in Tremblay-en-France in February 2002, he spent time with Villemomble and Torcy before joining Monaco’s youth system in 2017.
He progressed through the academy and reserve team before making his senior debut in October 2021.
His early appearances were limited, but Monaco gradually increased his responsibility. He developed from a promising substitute into a regular attacking contributor.
The 2023–24 campaign represented an important breakthrough. Akliouche received more consistent league minutes, scored important goals and demonstrated that his technical ability could translate to senior football.
His development continued in the Champions League.
One of his most memorable European performances came when he scored against Barcelona in Monaco’s 2–1 victory in September 2024. That goal introduced him to a broader audience and showed that he could make an impact against elite opposition.
He later scored against PSG during Monaco’s Champions League campaign, further strengthening his reputation as a player comfortable on major occasions.
His Recent Production Shows Steady Progress
Akliouche’s statistical output has developed alongside his tactical influence.
He scored seven Ligue 1 goals during the 2023–24 season and followed that campaign with five league goals in 2024–25. During the following season, he again contributed regularly as Monaco competed domestically and in Europe.
Those numbers are respectable, although they also highlight an area in which he can continue improving.
Akliouche is not yet a winger who guarantees an enormous total of goals every season. His value is spread across several parts of the attacking game: carrying possession, creating chances, connecting midfield with attack and helping his team enter dangerous areas.
A move to Liverpool or PSG would bring higher expectations.
At either club, he would be expected to turn more promising situations into goals and assists. He would need to become more decisive when receiving the ball near the penalty area.
This may be one reason interested clubs view him as a long-term investment rather than a finished product.
At 24, Akliouche has already gained substantial senior experience but should still have room to improve his consistency, decision-making and final action.
The club that signs him would be investing in both his current ability and his future development.
International Recognition with France
Akliouche’s progress at Monaco earned him recognition at international level.
He represented France in several youth age groups and was part of the team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
That tournament provided valuable experience in high-pressure knockout football and allowed him to work under Thierry Henry.
He later received his first senior France call-up in 2025 and made his international debut during World Cup qualification.
Akliouche also scored his first senior international goal against Azerbaijan in November 2025.
His involvement with France’s World Cup squad increased his profile further, even though his minutes during the tournament were limited.
Becoming an established France international is exceptionally difficult because of the depth of attacking talent available to the national team.
Akliouche must compete with players representing some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Regular football will therefore be an important factor when he considers his next move.
Joining Liverpool or PSG would raise his profile, but the move must also provide a realistic pathway to consistent minutes.
How Akliouche Could Fit at Liverpool
Liverpool’s interest makes tactical sense because Akliouche can contribute in several attacking roles.
From the right wing, he could receive possession near the touchline before moving inside. His left foot would allow him to shoot, pass into the penalty area or combine with a central forward.
He could also play behind the striker in a system using a central attacking midfielder.
Liverpool have traditionally valued forwards who are comfortable changing positions. Their most effective attacking units have often involved fluid movement rather than rigid roles.
Akliouche’s intelligence would suit that approach.
He is willing to move towards the ball, participate in combinations and create space for teammates. He does not need to remain isolated against a full-back throughout the match.
He could also help Liverpool control possession.
Premier League football would present a new physical challenge, but Akliouche’s ability to protect the ball may help him adapt. He would need to become accustomed to greater defensive pressure, stronger opponents and a more intense match rhythm.
His off-ball work would also receive close attention.
Liverpool require attackers to press defenders, block passing lanes and react immediately when possession is lost. Akliouche has the mobility to perform those tasks, but adapting to the team’s exact defensive structure would take time.
Liverpool’s Changing Attacking Department
The interest in Akliouche comes during a period of transition in Liverpool’s forward line.
The club are reshaping their attacking options and considering how to maintain creativity, pace and goal production over the coming seasons.
A successful rebuild cannot depend only on replacing one departing player with an identical alternative. Liverpool may instead distribute responsibility across several attackers with different qualities.
Akliouche would offer control, imagination and the ability to play between the lines.
He could complement a faster winger who prefers attacking open space or a centre-forward who occupies defenders inside the penalty area.
His age also fits a long-term recruitment strategy.
Liverpool would be signing a player entering his prime rather than one approaching the end of his career. If he adapted successfully, Akliouche could become an important member of the squad for several seasons.
However, the club must decide whether his profile is the greatest current priority.
If Liverpool primarily need a winger who immediately guarantees a large number of goals, they may prefer another target. If they want a technically gifted creator who can develop into a more complete attacker, Akliouche becomes especially attractive.
PSG Present Serious Competition
Paris Saint-Germain’s interest is a major obstacle to Liverpool.
PSG can offer Akliouche the opportunity to remain in France, compete regularly for domestic trophies and join one of Europe’s most ambitious squads.
The move would also require less cultural and competitive adjustment than transferring to England.
Akliouche already understands Ligue 1, has experience facing PSG and would remain close to the environment in which he developed.
For PSG, the attraction is equally clear.
Signing one of the strongest young French players would fit their increasing emphasis on constructing a younger and more sustainable squad. It would also allow them to add another technically gifted attacker familiar with domestic football.
Reports have suggested that PSG have already made proposals for Akliouche, although Monaco have not accepted the offers described in the media.
The Paris club may need to raise their valuation or restructure the financial package to satisfy Monaco.
PSG’s advantage could be the player’s personal preference.
Some reports claim Akliouche is attracted to a move to Paris. That has not been confirmed publicly by the player, so it should not be treated as a final decision.
Liverpool would need to determine whether he is genuinely open to the Premier League before committing to lengthy negotiations.
Monaco Hold a Strong Position
Monaco are under no immediate pressure to sell cheaply.
Akliouche is one of their most valuable players and remains central to their attacking plans. Losing him would weaken the team and require another significant recruitment decision.
The club will therefore expect an offer reflecting his age, international status, Champions League experience and potential resale value.
Reports have placed Monaco’s valuation in the region of €50 million, although transfer valuations can change depending on competition between bidders, payment structure and possible bonuses.
Liverpool and PSG may attempt to negotiate a lower guaranteed fee with performance-related additions.
Monaco could also benefit from waiting.
If both clubs become seriously involved, competition may drive the price higher. Other European sides could enter the race if the player’s availability becomes clearer.
The principality club have considerable experience managing high-value departures. They are unlikely to be pressured into accepting the first acceptable proposal.
Their decision will depend on whether the fee is sufficient to replace Akliouche and strengthen other areas of the squad.
Also Read:
