From France: Manchester City maintain transfer interest in AS Monaco attacking midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester City transfer bosses continue to hold one of French football’s most exciting talents on their radar, despite the summer’s recruitment of Rayan Cherki.

The Premier League giants have continued to survey the European market for long-term creative options, with the club’s planning already stretching well beyond the current campaign.

City’s midfield department is expected to undergo further evolution over the next 12 months, with several senior players facing uncertain futures and Pep Guardiola intent on maintaining elite depth in attacking areas. As a result, recruitment chiefs remain attentive to emerging performers across the continent.

Monaco’s continued trend in developing exciting stars has led to the French side becoming a consistent supplier of high-level talent to some of Europe’s bigger hitters. Maghnes Akliouche, in particular, has been viewed as one of the league’s most technically gifted young creators, catching the attention of scouts with his ball progression, versatility, and attacking output.

With Manchester City continuing to refresh their attacking profiles season on season, monitoring Akliouche forms part of their wider long-term planning. It was initially believed that the arrival of Rayan Cherki from Lyon last summer would end City’s pursuit of similar left-sided or central creative midfielders.

However, the club’s recruitment model – centred on succession planning and squad depth – means they rarely close doors completely, especially for players with high developmental potential and multi-year upside.

And according to the information of L’Équipe, as translated and relayed by Get French Football News, Manchester City are long-term admirers of AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, with the 23-year-old fielding interest from the likes of Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, and PSG in addition to City in the summer, but a €70 million valuation put all of the European clubs off.

Now though, the report claims that there remains interest in Akliouche from those at Manchester City, with the player having scored three goals and provided four assists in 19 games across all competitions this season.

Looking ahead, City’s renewed attention could depend heavily on outgoings. Bernardo Silva’s future continues to be a regular topic of discussion with his contract expiring at the end of the season, while the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish are set for a review.

Should an opportunity arise, as is expected particularly given the aforementioned scenarios, Manchester City may look again at a player who fits their stylistic ideals.

AS Monaco’s valuation remains an obstacle, with the French club historically firm in negotiations for top talents. But if Akliouche continues his upward trajectory across the second half of the season, the situation could change – especially if the player signals interest.