Liverpool warned to sign Maghnes Akliouche before the World Cup or face major price rise

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Maghnes Akliouche of AS Monaco has emerged as a target for Liverpool in the last week or so after an impressive 2025/26.It was reported in France this past weekend that Liverpool are looking at Akliouche and would not be put off by a potential £45m price tag.However, it has now been suggested that the Reds will need to get a deal done before the World Cup or risk having to pay more for the Frenchman. If Xabi Alonso goes to Chelsea, who should be Liverpool’s next manager?

Credit: Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI/AFP/Getty Images Maghnes Akliouche price tag could go up after World CupAkliouche has spent much of this season playing as a right winger, scoring seven and assisting 11 in all competitions.The 24-year-old could be an option to replace Mohamed Salah once he leaves, which Andy Brassell has been discussing with talkSPORT this week.However, Brassell also suggested that if he plays well at this summer’s tournament, Monaco could demand even more for the player.He said: “I think we identified [him as a potential Salah replacement] a couple of months back, didn’t we actually?” Brassell told talkSPORT.com.“The form that he’s been in in the last four to five months has been brilliant.“He’s been a huge part of Monaco’s season being dragged back from the cliff edge, even though they’ve had a few stumbles recently.“But Akliouche’s ability has always been clear. Now we can see him grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and making life incredibly difficult for defenders.“Now, of course, he’s not a direct replacement for Mo Salah, but Mo Salah wasn’t Mo Salah of now or the Mo Salah of the Liverpool title-winning season when he arrived – he became that at Liverpool.“The only thing I would say is get it over the line before the World Cup because he’ll be in that World Cup squad because he’s played his way into it over the past four or five months.“If he has a few good cameos for France, Monaco will whack the price up, it’s fair to say, and also there’s competition for him as well.”France’s World Cup squad is yet to be announced, but it will be confirmed on May 14.Whether Akliouche is guaranteed a spot remains to be seen, but he has already earned seven caps since his debut in September 2025, scoring one goal.Les Bleus have a plethora of exciting forward options to pick from, but with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike out of the World Cup, a spot may well be open for the Monaco man.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox