Liverpool Miss Out on £42.8m Mohamed Salah Replacement as Five-Year Deal Confirmed
Liverpool have lost the race to sign Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, with the 24-year-old agreeing to a five-year deal at Paris Saint-Germain. The club had shown interest in Akliouche as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, making an approach earlier in July.
The versatile attacker, who was also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, recently played a role in France's journey to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Despite interest from both English clubs, PSG secured the transfer by agreeing a £42.8 million fee with Monaco.
Akliouche is entering the final two years of his contract with Monaco, where he has spent nine years since joining their academy from Torcy. His record there includes 23 goals and 28 assists in 139 appearances across all competitions. Last season, he contributed directly to 18 goals in 43 matches, scoring seven times and assisting eleven.
Details of the Transfer
- Transfer Fee: £42.8 million
- Contract Length: Five years until 2031
- Next Steps: Medical scheduled next week with PSG
According to Fabrizio Romano, the final approval from Akliouche himself has been given, completing the move after the clubs agreed on terms. He will now join Luis Enrique's squad, aiming to make an impact at the European champions.
What This Means for Liverpool’s Plans
Although missing out on Akliouche is disappointing for Liverpool, it may not be a major setback. The player was never viewed as the primary target but rather a promising option due to his age and versatility on the right wing.
Interestingly, Akliouche’s move to PSG might affect Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola. With Akliouche joining PSG, Barcola faces stiffer competition for playing time there, which could increase his openness to a move. Reports suggest Barcola prefers a transfer to Liverpool over Arsenal, and talks between the Reds and PSG about Barcola continue, although PSG’s high valuation of around £145 million seems unlikely to hold.
Still, the connection between these transfers may be limited. Akliouche is expected to replace Ibrahim Mbaye at PSG, a player rumored to leave, while Barcola plays a different role on the pitch. Therefore, Akliouche’s arrival might not ease Barcola’s path as much as some hope.
Akliouche’s World Cup Role
Despite being part of France’s 2026 World Cup squad, Akliouche played a minimal role during the tournament. He spent most games on the bench and only appeared briefly in one match against Iraq, coming on for seven minutes.
