Manchester City and PSG set for summer transfer battle over Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche

By: Shawn
Manchester City are preparing to rival Paris Saint-Germain in the pursuit of Monaco’s highly-rated midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, according to French outlet L'Équipe. However, any concrete move from the Premier League champions is believed to be contingent on their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

'Maghnes Akliouche.'
Getty Images 

The 22-year-old playmaker has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most promising attacking midfielders, registering eight assists and two goals in a breakthrough campaign for AS Monaco. With speculation mounting over his summer departure, Akliouche has become a prime target for both Pep Guardiola’s City and Luis Enrique’s PSG.

City are expected to significantly revamp their midfield this summer, particularly with Kevin De Bruyne set to leave at the end of the season. Akliouche’s creativity and versatility make him a fitting candidate for Guardiola’s evolving squad, but the report indicates that the player’s camp is prioritising top-tier European football—a requirement that City are still fighting to secure.

This weekend’s 5–2 victory over Crystal Palace gave City a critical boost in their chase for a top-four finish, enhancing their Champions League prospects with just weeks left in the Premier League season.

Meanwhile, PSG’s interest in Akliouche has intensified after the French giants failed in their attempts to sign Mohamed Salah, who recently committed his future to Liverpool. The Parisian side now view the Monaco midfielder as a vital piece in their long-term domestic and continental ambitions.

Akliouche’s stock continues to rise amid Monaco’s push to secure a second-place finish in Ligue 1, a position that ensures Champions League qualification. Manager Adi Hütter and sporting director Thiago Scuro have both confirmed that the club is expecting summer bids, further signalling a likely departure.

With both Manchester City and PSG eyeing midfield reinforcements, Akliouche's decision may ultimately rest on which club can guarantee him a Champions League stage next season. As the race heats up, Europe's elite are closely watching Monaco’s rising star. SA

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING!

How Messi was close to joining one Premier League club—but It failed at the last moment

Image
‎Jose Mourinho reportedly came within touching distance of signing Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014, with personal terms agreed and a staggering £50 million annual salary on offer. But despite the West London club’s readiness to activate the €250 million release clause in Messi’s Barcelona contract, the transfer never materialised—blocked by a surprise revelation from a Premier League player that alerted Messi’s father and ultimately brought the negotiations to a halt. ‎ ‎ Jose Mourinho almost signed Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014 before deal collapsed over player revelation. ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎At the time, Mourinho had just returned for his second spell at Chelsea, eager to reinforce his legacy after two Premier League title wins during his first tenure. Always one to think big, the Portuguese manager set his sights on Lionel Messi, arguably the most coveted player in world football. ‎ ‎According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s 2014 book Grand Hotel Calciomercato, the ground...
Read more

Liverpool's 20 key signings, moments, and moves that led to their Premier League triumph

Image
Liverpool Football Club is once again on top of English football, clinching the Premier League title for a record-equalling 20th time in their history. The 2024-25 season was nothing short of extraordinary, as Liverpool, under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot, broke records, overcame adversity, and delivered thrilling football to clinch the title with four matches to spare. There were countless highs throughout the season, but it’s the key moments—whether individual brilliance, tactical masterstrokes, or team resilience—that defined this unforgettable campaign. ' The Mohamed Salah. ' Getty Images  Let’s delve into 20 of those game-changing moments that made Liverpool’s 2024-25 season one to remember. 1 . Perfect Klopp Replacement: Arne Slot’s Immediate Impact Replacing a figure like Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a monumental task. But Liverpool’s board made the right call by hiring Arne Slot as the club’s new manager. The Dutchman’s arrival brought a bre...
Read more

Why Barcelona see Lionel Messi's return as key to their future and legacy

Image
‎Barcelona are reportedly preparing to orchestrate one of football’s most emotional reunions, aiming to bring club legend Lionel Messi back in time for the grand reopening of the iconic Spotify Camp Nou in 2026. ‎ ‎ Barcelona plan to bring Lionel Messi back in 2026 to mark Camp Nou’s reopening, aiming for a legendary reunion with the Argentine icon. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The Argentine superstar, now 37, left the Catalan giants in 2021 due to financial constraints that prevented the club from renewing his contract. Since then, Messi has continued to dazzle on the global stage, guiding Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022 and later moving to Major League Soccer to join Inter Miami, where he has played a pivotal role in the sport's growth in the United States. ‎ ‎According to a report from TNT Sports, Barcelona remain hopeful of reuniting with their all-time great. The club is said to be “slowly preparing” for a potential deal to bring Messi back following the 2026 FIFA World...
Read more

‎Manchester United confident Viktor Gyokeres transfer from Sporting is a 'done deal'

Image
‎Manchester United are confident that they have sealed a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The Swedish international has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, and club insiders now believe that the move is effectively a “done deal.” ‎ ‎' Viktor Gyokeres. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎United, under manager Rúben Amorim, are seeking to overhaul their attacking options following a disappointing Premier League campaign. Current centre-forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to deliver consistent performances, prompting a strategic focus on bolstering the front line. ‎ ‎Gyokeres, who has enjoyed a sensational debut season with Sporting CP, fits the profile United are after. In Liga Portugal alone, the former Coventry City striker has netted 34 goals and provided 7 assists across 29 appearances. His performances in the Champions League have also been impressive, with 6 goals...
Read more

Chelsea to send more wonderkids to Strasbourg after Andrey Santos' successful loan spell

Image
‎Chelsea FC are set to deepen their strategic partnership with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, as two of the Premier League club’s brightest young prospects—Mathis Amougou and Kendry Paez—are primed for season-long loan moves to the French outfit for the 2025–26 campaign. ‎ ‎' Mathis Amougou. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The potential transfers come on the back of a highly productive loan spell for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who flourished under the guidance of Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior during the 2024–25 season. Santos' development and contributions in midfield have not gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca eager to integrate him into the senior squad ahead of this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. ‎ ‎According to reports from L'Équipe, 19-year-old Amougou, a French youth international, is among the next wave of young Blues heading to Stade de la Meinau. The promising centre-back arrived at Chelsea from Saint-Étienne in J...
Read more

Tensions soar before Copa del Rey final as Real Madrid clash with referees

Image
Real Madrid have issued a forthright denial of speculation suggesting they intended to withdraw from tonight’s Copa del Rey final against arch-rivals Barcelona, following an explosive breakdown in relations with the match officiating team. ‎ ‎Real Madrid quell boycott rumors ahead of Copa del Rey Final amid referee row. ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎The Spanish giants moved swiftly on Friday evening to issue a strongly-worded statement reaffirming their commitment to compete in the high-stakes final, which will be watched by millions worldwide. The announcement came amid rising tensions between the club and the designated match officials, triggered by a controversial broadcast on the club’s own media channel. ‎ ‎“In light of the rumours that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid CF communicates that our team never considered refusing to play tomorrow's final,” the statement began. ‎ ‎The club emphasized that “football's values must prevail,” referencing the global audi...
Read more

Benzema vs Ronaldo: Golden Boot race intensifies ahead of Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr showdown

Image
‎Karim Benzema reaffirmed his team-first mindset after Al Ittihad’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Ettifaq on Sunday, pushing the Jeddah-based club another step closer to their first Saudi Pro League (SPL) title since 2009. The French striker, who found the net in the high-stakes clash, brushed aside questions about the league's top scorer race with a pointed and memorable response. ‎ Karim Benzema snubs Golden Boot race, eyes Saudi Pro League title with Al Ittihad. ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎“I don’t care about this, my friend. The most important thing is the trophy,” Benzema said in the mixed zone, emphasizing his focus on team silverware rather than personal accolades. ‎ ‎With 68 points from 29 matches, Al Ittihad now sit six points clear of second-placed Al Hilal, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr trailing further behind on 58. The win puts Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in pole position as the season nears its dramatic conclusion. ‎ ‎The Golden Boot race remains tightly conte...
Read more