Akliouche Confirms Monaco Exit: European Heavyweights Set for Summer Battle! | OneFootball

One of the hottest transfer sagas of the summer window in European football has officially kicked off. Maghnes Akliouche, the 24-year-old French-Algerian playmaker who plies his trade for French Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco, is geared up to open a new chapter in his career.

Having caught the eye of elite heavyweights with his dazzling performances during the 2025/2026 campaign, the young star is currently showcasing his talent at the World Cup finals with the France national team. A high-profile departure from his club for a staggering transfer fee after the tournament is now widely considered an absolute certainty.

Green Light for the Right Offer

The AS Monaco board had previously maintained a highly rigid stance regarding keeping the player in their squad. However, at this juncture, a radical paradigm shift has occurred in the Monegasque club’s strategy. Having finished the 2025/2026 Ligue 1 season in 7th place, securing only a UEFA Conference League quota and missing out on a coveted Champions League ticket, Monaco has given the green light to player sales in order to balance the books. The parting of ways with manager Damien Perrinelle and the ongoing hunt for a new gaffer stand out as the clearest indicators of this transitional period at the club.

Monaco’s top brass are fully prepared to facilitate Akliouche’s departure, provided a satisfactory bid lands on the table. The valuation the club expects from this transfer has crystallized: Monaco is setting the testing price at $63.5 million. Although initial reports in May 2026 suggested the player’s price tag could soar to the $69 million mark, Monaco’s failure to qualify for the Champions League has somewhat weakened their bargaining chip. Nevertheless, given that the player’s current market value stands squarely at $58 million, the club will refuse to sit at the negotiating table for any figure below this valuation.

“My Priority is the World Cup”

With speculation hitting fever pitch in the transfer market, Maghnes Akliouche left the door open regarding his future in an exclusive interview. The young star acknowledged that securing a transfer this summer would be a “probable and logical next step” for his career. These words from the player went down in the ledger as the first concrete, official statement indicating his desire to seal a move away from the club.

Despite the noise, the 24-year-old footballer maintained his professional composure, emphasizing that his sole focus at present is driving the France national team toward success. Describing the World Cup stage as a massive shop window for players, Akliouche stated he is well aware that anything can happen during the tournament. Adding that he does not wish to show any disrespect to his current employers by discussing transfer market dealings at this delicate stage, the playmaker announced that he will only make a final decision on his future once the tournament concludes.

Heavyweights Battle for the Winger

Following the player’s exit signals, Europe’s elite clubs have accelerated official contacts. The current state of play for the frontrunners making concrete moves in the transfer race is as follows:

Paris Saint-Germain

The French giants are currently regarded as the pole-position candidates to land Akliouche’s signature. It is claimed that sporting director Luis Campos held a private meeting with the player’s agent last week to present the club’s sporting project and secure a priority pledge for the transfer. Manager Luis Enrique has designated this signing as his number-one priority to inject creativity and fluidity into his attacking flanks. However, before PSG can table a formal, written bid to Monaco, they must sanction some squad departures and free up wage bill space. The Parisian side will trigger the operation depending on the exit dynamics of their out-of-favor players.

Liverpool

Following the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah, the Merseyside club are plotting to fill the massive void left on the right flank with Akliouche. Liverpool’s scouting department has long kept tabs on the versatile attacker, who can pull the strings as an attacking midfielder behind the front line in addition to operating as a right winger. Inside reports suggest that the English club could be warm to meeting Monaco’s $58-63 million asking price.

Others

Elsewhere, Manchester City are also understood to be in lockstep contact with Monaco regarding the financial conditions and cost of the deal. Furthermore, Trendyol Süper Lig side Galatasaray are rumored to be keeping a watching brief on the player’s situation from afar.

On the Italian front, Akliouche mentioned that his close friend Khéphren Thuram is thoroughly enjoying his football at Juventus, adding that Thuram jokingly urged him to “Come to Turin.” However, playing in the Champions League remains a non-negotiable fundamental condition in the player’s career roadmap. This factor stands out as the primary catalyst accelerating his exit strategy from Monaco, as the club will be starved of elite European football next term.

Potential Scenarios

Maghnes Akliouche registered a stellar return of 6 goals and 7 assists in 31 appearances for Monaco during the recently concluded 2025/2026 Ligue 1 season. When accounting for all competitions, he emerged as the team’s chief architect, leading the assist charts with 11 key passes leading to goals. Averaging 48 successful dribbles per match and routinely progressive with his ball-carrying, he proved himself to be one of the most effective wingers in the division.

Contractual Details and Financial Backing

The young talisman’s current contract with AS Monaco runs until June 2028, with no release clause or extension options baked into the deal. This contractual status dictates that the player’s future hinges entirely on the transfer fee dictated by Monaco. While no specific wage demands have been openly vocalized, it is estimated that he will demand at least a threefold increase on his current earnings alongside a long-term contract from his prospective suitors.

For Monaco, the absence of Champions League revenue has restricted the club’s spending power for the summer window. Trimming the wage bill and generating capital for incoming transfer targets requested by the incoming manager has made cashing in on Akliouche a financial necessity.