Liverpool are “desperate” to sign £100m+ Akliouche

There is a feeling that Liverpool are starting to up the ante as they look to rebuild the Anfield frontline at the start of the Andoni Iraola era, with the Spaniard selected to replace Arne Slot after last year’s collapse.

A poor 2025/26 campaign has dragged Liverpool far from their expected place in the Premier League battleground, battling the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in the conference. Instead, they fell by the wayside, in terms of getting Champions League football by finishing in fifth place.

Careworn Slot went through a lot during his two years in charge, and he has to keep his head up, but changes had to be made.

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were also among those to leave after many impressive years at the club. Salah’s relegation last year was sad to witness, but now he needs a replacement, and FSG seem intent on signing Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche to complete that job.

Why Akliouche is the perfect replacement for Salah

Paris Saint-Germain are in the driving seat to complete a deal for Akliouche this summer, but Liverpool are keen to swoop in, having made their first approach for the Monaco midfielder this week.

Hailed as a “no-nonsense” specialist by Como analyst and scout Ben Mattinson, the 24-year-old scored six goals and provided six assists apiece in Ligue 1 last year, but that’s not his wheel; he is a smart, coordinating player, not a direct goalscorer of Salah’s type.

In a way, Akliouche is perfect. He would cost a fraction of what Liverpool would have to pay to sign RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, his direct and powerful approach making him Salah’s childhood favorite. The pressure, for a 19-year-old freshman, can be overwhelming.

Akliouche’s creative focus will also feed into Alexander Isak’s strengths. Liverpool’s top goal threat was restructured last year when they spent big on Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Ekitike is recovering from an Achilles injury and will be out of action for months at a time, while Isak needs to prove himself after a lackluster, injury-plagued first year at Anfield, and with all this in mind, perhaps it is important that FSG re-sign a top-class striker.

Liverpool are “very keen” to sign Akliouche’s development

Akliouche and Victor Munoz, who Liverpool signed from Osasuna for a £35.5m package last month, would make a smart pairing going forward, but Liverpool need to try to land a big fish outside of that, and PSG’s Bradley Barcola could be that man.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are leading the race to sign the French international this summer. Arsenal are also interested, and that interest could increase after missing out on Chelsea’s signing Morgan Rogers, but all indications point to Merseyside at the moment.

The French giants do not want to sell. Barcola, 23, is “one of the best left-backs in the world”, according to Mattinson, but he wants a bigger role, and it will be difficult for star-studded Luis Enrique.

PSG have not yet announced their price. They hope to tie him down to a new contract, but that looks unlikely as Liverpool continue to investigate. It is expected that FSG should raise the value past the £100m mark.

Barcola led France to the World Cup, building on two recent years of dominance with his club, scoring 62 goals in two seasons, winning back-to-back Champions League titles and any domestic honours.

Right-back Akliouche is coveted by PSG, but there’s no doubt Barcola has more to his game, quick and deadly in front of goal. He plays down the left, but has played inside and out on the right as well – where the reverse controls want to focus more on his play, rather than scoring himself.

Liverpool writer Dave Hendrick went so far as to say that the Les Bleus “star” is the “closest thing to Salah” on the market right now, so while Akliouche’s unique ability makes him the right man to bring to the right of Iraola’s setup, the IX-factor of Barcola could be exactly what the Redsmaval needs as an attack.

Liverpool’s current crop doesn’t cut the mustard. It’s a simple fact, and FSG’s decision-makers need to fix it quickly if the Reds are to challenge the best teams in Europe after a disappointing season.

Iraola’s front-foot approach should allow Barcola to prove himself a star in England. Liverpool could hit the jackpot for the Frenchman, who is likely to be a summer signing.