The Algerian Football Federation is intensifying its efforts to persuade AS Monaco’s rising star, Maghnes Akliouche, to commit to the Algerian national team, amid growing interest from France, according to recent media reports.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been on Algeria’s radar for some time, but their chances of securing his commitment have dwindled following increasing interest from the French national team.
Reports suggest that Didier Deschamps, the France head coach, is considering calling Akliouche up for the UEFA Nations League matches in October, which would complicate Algeria’s pursuit.
According to “Ouest France,” Akliouche’s potential inclusion in the French squad, especially for upcoming matches against Israel and Belgium, has put the Algerian Football Federation under pressure.
Deschamps reportedly sees Akliouche as a potential replacement if any of his key players are unavailable, which could pave the way for a debut in the French senior squad.
“Win Win” reported that while Akliouche’s inclusion in France’s preliminary roster doesn’t guarantee his participation, it adds a significant challenge for Algeria.
The North African nation has previously lost out on players with dual nationality to France, and they are eager to avoid repeating such scenarios.
In response, the Algerian Football Federation has doubled down on its efforts to win Akliouche over.
The Algerian newspaper “Compétition” noted that the federation is leveraging its relationships with players of dual nationality who previously played alongside Akliouche in French youth teams, with the aim of fulfilling his earlier pledge to represent Algeria after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a previous agreement, the Algerian Football Federation had reached a preliminary understanding with Akliouche and his family for him to join “Les Fennecs.”
However, his standout performances for AS Monaco, notably his impressive showing in the Champions League victory over Barcelona, have drawn considerable attention from both the media and fans, making his decision more complicated.
Algeria remains hopeful that Akliouche will stay true to his earlier commitment to represent the country of his heritage.
As they navigate the pressure from France, the federation is determined to capitalize on every opportunity to convince the talented player to wear the Algerian jersey and help elevate the national team’s fortunes on the international stage.
