Maghnes Akliouche transfer news: Liverpool make initial approach for Monaco winger amid PSG interest

Liverpool have made an initial approach to Monaco for winger Maghnes Akliouche. 

Akliouche is a prime target for Paris Saint-Germain, who have made several offers for him - none of which have been acceptable to Monaco so far.

The most recent offer from the Ligue 1 champions is believed to be in the region of £34m (€40m).

Akliouche was on the bench for France's 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place play-off.

The 24-year-old, who is capable of playing on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder, made 31 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring six goals and adding six assists.

Andoni Iraola wants a winger, mainly for one very good reason. Mohamed Salah has not been replaced yet.

This approach for Akliouche is the first sign of Liverpool finally moving on from the Egyptian King.

The French forward can play as a No 10, but is equally a left-footed right winger. With Florian Wirtz looking to build on his debut season at Anfield, Akliouche would be played out on the right wing.

The 24-year-old has a lot of potential and the numbers back that up. He was one of the best ball carriers in France last season, while he was also one of the top chance creation players in Ligue 1.

Akliouche also ranked highly for high turnovers, with his desire to win the ball high up the pitch a good fit for Andoni Iraola's high-octane pressing style.

Anyone who takes over from Salah's old position down the Liverpool right has a job on their hands. But with Akliouche also linked with Paris Saint-Germain, this is somebody who is used to having a lot of eyes on him.

Liverpool have already secured the £34.5m signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna but speaking in a press conference on Tuesday ahead of facing Sunderland in a pre-season friendly in the USA on Saturday, new boss Andoni Iraola admitted further reinforcements were needed.

"We definitely need to sign a winger," he said, as the club look to bolster their options out wide following Mohamed Salah's exit at the end of last season.

Other options, such as Akliouche, are now being explored. When asked how many signings the club would need ahead of his first campaign in charge, he added: "No, I think it's difficult to say a number when the market is open.

"You have to always be open to new options to improve the squad.

"There are obvious situations that we know where we need to sign players. A winger, for example - we definitely need to sign a winger.

"But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what's the cost, how we also see the players we have.

"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust but is still not the ideal situation. So, it will depend on a lot of things."