Manchester United enter race for AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche

Manchester United are interested in signing AS Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche, as INEOS look to rebuild the squad under Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the transfer window, as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen this squad for the new season, after what has been a very tough season since he replaced Erik ten Hag in November. They added Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to the squad during the January transfer window but would try bringing in more fresh blood to avoid a repeat of the ongoing season.

Given the team’s struggles in front of goal, Amorim is certain to demand the board for attacking reinforcement. Now, Manchester United have reportedly joined Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer race for the highly-rated AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche ahead of the summer transfer window.

Akliouche, 23, has come through the Monaco academy and is now making waves in the first team. He has been among their best players this season, bagging six goals and supplying 10 assists in 39 games across all competitions. The former France Under-21 international’s contributions have been vital behind Le Rocher’s rise to third in the Ligue 1 table.

Manchester United enter race for Maghnes Akliouche

There could be wholesale changes in the Man United squad that Amorim inherited from Ten Hag. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho are all expected to leave the club either on loan or permanently before the new season begins.

Rashford and Antony are thriving on loan at Aston Villa and Real Betis, respectively, which is good news for Amorim and INEOS as they want to get rid of the wing duo. Sancho, meanwhile, has blown hot and cold at Chelsea, who signed him on loan in a deal that includes obligation to sign the England international for between £20-25m this summer.

Amorim wants attackers who will fit in his 3-4-2-1 system, players who are capable of operating as inside forwards. The Portuguese tactician wants Akliouche, who is a right-winger by trade but can also play on the left and as a No.10. He would enhance the Red Devils’ attack, adding speed, creativity, guile and unpredictability.

The wide-man’s performances in France have put several European bigwigs on red alert, with Monaco valuing him in the region of £60million. And Monaco boss Adi Hutter says Akliouche is ready for the next step in his career, backing the French-Algerian attacker to leave his boyhood club.

“He is already playing at a top club. We are all happy with what he has done over the last two years. He made a big, big step in the right direction. I can imagine that the club is receiving some offers from him. He is 23, and I don’t see many players with the same skills as Akliouche. When you ask me, he is ready to make the next step. We will see what happens with Maghnes,” Hutter said.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Man United can beat Man City and PSG to the Monaco star’s signature.

I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.