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Liverpool target Maghnes Akliouche is reportedly learning English, with the AS Monaco star understood to be open to a Premier League switch. The Reds made an enquiry to the Ligue 1 club regarding the 24 year old as they seek to bolster their attacking ranks.
The Liverpool ECHO understands that approaches were made to Monaco earlier in the transfer window as they evaluated the market to gauge the availability of the France international. Paris Saint-Germain, who have competed with Liverpool for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, have reportedly had three offers for the 29-goal attacker knocked back, with the latest bid standing at around £34million.
According to PA Sports, Akliouche is receptive to a Premier League transfer and has been studying English in recent months. Nevertheless, PSG are currently frontrunners to secure the winger's signature, with bids already turned down, as they continue evaluating potential recruits.
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Victor Munoz will join the pursuit after returning from his break following Spain's World Cup campaign, but Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola emphasised that they must bring in a winger this summer, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The 44 year old said: "No, I think it is difficult to say a number when the market is open. You have to be always open to new options to improve the squad.
"There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. A winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.
"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players, that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."
Akliouche's profile is consistent with the type of player Liverpool have historically sought in the transfer market, boasting more than 100 senior appearances to his name.
The Monaco winger has contributed 23 goals and 28 assists across 139 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, while also featuring in Didier Deschamps' squad at the World Cup, bringing his total international caps to 10 for Les Bleus.
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Liverpool's desire to sign a wide player has been an open secret following Mohamed Salah's departure from the club.
The Reds demonstrated a readiness to spend £86m on Diomande, yet the Ivorian has made clear his preference for a switch to PSG — a move that has so far failed to materialise.
In the meantime, a shortlist of potential targets has been compiled, featuring Bradley Barcola, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Koln's Said El Mala.
