Liverpool enter race to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche as Salah successor

Liverpool have opened talks to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche as they step up efforts to fill the attacking void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure from Anfield.

The 24-year-old Frenchman has emerged as one of the key targets for the Premier League club in the current transfer window, with the Merseyside side viewing him as a potential long-term replacement for their former talisman.

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool have made initial contact to enquire about Akliouche’s situation, including Monaco’s stance on a sale and the financial terms that might be required to secure his signature this summer.

Salah void driving Liverpool’s market move

Liverpool’s push for Akliouche comes at a time when the club has yet to adequately replace Salah, who brought an end to his glittering nine-year spell at Anfield at the close of last season.

The Egyptian forward’s exit has left a significant gap on the right side of Liverpool’s attack, both in terms of goals and creativity, increasing the urgency within the club’s hierarchy and technical staff to recruit a new wide player.

New head coach Andoni Iraola is understood to regard the signing of a winger as a “pressing priority”, with the squad still lacking a specialist right-sided forward of comparable profile since Salah’s departure.

Strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain

Liverpool do not have a clear run at Akliouche, with Paris Saint-Germain also strongly pursuing the Monaco star.

PSG have already submitted multiple bids for the player, the latest of which reached £34m (€40m), but all offers so far have been rejected by Monaco’s board, who are believed to be holding out for a higher fee or improved structure.

Akliouche is considered one of Ligue 1’s most promising attacking talents, and Monaco are under no immediate pressure to sell, which could set up a bidding battle between the French champions and the six-time European Cup winners.

Tactical fit at Anfield

Akliouche’s versatility is a major factor in Liverpool’s interest. He can operate both as an attacking midfielder and as a left-footed right winger – precisely the role in which Liverpool envisage using him if a deal can be concluded.

That profile mirrors the position previously occupied by Salah, cutting in from the right onto his stronger foot, and would allow Iraola to maintain a similar attacking structure while reshaping the forward line.

His arrival would also dovetail with Liverpool’s existing creative options, with German playmaker Florian Wirtz looking to cement his status in his second season at Anfield. Wirtz is expected to be central to Iraola’s plans, and Akliouche’s movement and flexibility could complement the German’s playmaking duties.

Sign of a new era after Salah

Liverpool’s concrete interest in Akliouche represents one of the clearest signs yet that the club have formally entered the post-Salah era and are actively seeking a new attacking figurehead.

While negotiations remain at an exploratory stage, the club’s engagement with Monaco signals intent to reshape their front line and avoid a prolonged transitional period following the exit of one of their greatest modern players.

Whether Liverpool can overcome the financial strength and domestic appeal of PSG – and whether Monaco are prepared to soften their stance – is likely to determine if Akliouche becomes the next major signing tasked with leading Liverpool’s attack in the coming season.