Liverpool and Manchester United scout Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche
Liverpool and Manchester United have entered the race to sign Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche after dispatching scouts to monitor the 22-year-old in France.
Representatives from both Premier League clubs were in attendance to witness the French youth international orchestrate a stunning 3-1 victory over Paris St-Germain last Friday.
The versatile attacker opened the scoring and provided an assist as the principality outfit dismantled Luis Enrique’s reigning Ligue 1 champions at the Parc des Princes.
Salah succession planning
Anfield recruitment chiefs have added the exciting prospect to their summer shortlist as they weigh up attacking reinforcements.
The Merseysiders are actively considering long-term successors for Mohamed Salah, whose future remains uncertain amid persistent interest from Saudi Arabia.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have also been tracking the highly-rated winger for over a year, but now face formidable competition from the English top flight’s traditional powerhouses.
Champions League qualification battle
The pursuit of fresh talent comes as both north-west giants aim to bolster their transfer budgets by securing elite European football next term.
Michael Carrick’s side currently sit third in the domestic standings, holding a narrow three-point advantage over sixth-placed Liverpool following a recent defeat to Newcastle.
That loss marked the first setback for the interim boss since he assumed caretaker duties at Old Trafford in January following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
The Anfield outfit will seek to apply pressure on the teams above them when they host Igor Tudor’s struggling, bottom-of-the-table Spurs this Sunday.
Alternative targets identified
The scouting missions in Paris indicate a clear intent from both historic rivals to inject youthful dynamism into their respective forward lines.
In addition to the Monaco standout, both clubs are reportedly monitoring RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande.
The 19-year-old has rapidly established himself as one of the most promising wide players operating in European football.
