Report: Liverpool want to replace Cody Gakpo with £43m forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Maghnes Akliouche as Summer Rebuild Begins

Liverpool’s summer rebuild already feels like one of the most significant of windows of modern times. With Mohamed Salah departing Anfield and uncertainty surrounding Federico Chiesa, attention has swiftly turned towards the next generation of attacking talent capable of reshaping the club’s frontline.

According to reports from L’Équipe, Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche has emerged as a serious target for Liverpool. Importantly, this pursuit appears separate from ongoing admiration for Paris Saint Germain’s Bradley Barcola, suggesting Liverpool are preparing for widespread attacking changes rather than one marquee addition.

Gakpo Exit Gathering Pace

There is little escaping the reality that Cody Gakpo’s season has left supporters frustrated. Expectations surrounding the Dutch international were substantial, particularly after flashes of quality during previous campaigns, yet consistency never arrived.

Gakpo’s inability to build chemistry with Milos Kerkez on the left flank has become symbolic of Liverpool’s broader attacking imbalance this season.

Liverpool’s willingness to consider offers is equally revealing. A reported £250,000 per week salary places Gakpo among the club’s top earners, and reducing that financial burden would hand sporting executives greater flexibility during a pivotal window.

Akliouche Fits Modern Liverpool Vision

At 24, Akliouche represents a profile Liverpool have increasingly prioritised, technically refined, positionally intelligent, and capable of operating across fluid attacking systems.

The Monaco winger has delivered seven goals and 11 assists this season, numbers that only partially explain his influence. His left foot offers creativity from the right flank, while his close control and ability to manipulate tight spaces have earned him seven senior France caps already.

Recruitment Signals Fresh Direction

Liverpool’s interest in Akliouche also hints at a more technical approach under Arne Slot’s long term planning. While explosive pace remains valuable, the emphasis increasingly appears centred on control, intelligence and versatility.

L’Équipe report that Monaco’s €50m valuation will not deter Liverpool. In modern market terms, particularly for a France international entering his prime years, that figure feels relatively manageable.

Supporters may naturally gravitate towards bigger names like Bradley Barcola, but Liverpool’s recruitment department has rarely operated through glamour alone. Akliouche feels precisely the type of calculated signing capable of thriving quietly before exploding into prominence on Merseyside.

Our View , Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter perspective, this report feels believable because it matches the current direction of the squad rebuild. Liverpool clearly need fresh energy in wide areas after Salah’s departure, and there is growing acceptance that Gakpo’s Anfield career may simply not have worked as hoped.

Akliouche is intriguing because he does not arrive with superstar expectations. That can often help players settle at Liverpool, particularly in a demanding tactical environment. Fans will appreciate his technical quality, but perhaps more importantly, his willingness to receive possession under pressure.

There is also a wider question around balance. Too often this season Liverpool’s attack has looked predictable and heavily reliant on individual moments. Akliouche appears more connective in style, someone capable of linking midfield and attack rather than simply waiting for transitions.

If this deal progresses, it could represent another example of Liverpool trusting profile and projection over hype.