Maghnes Akliouche looks to bolster Paris Saint-Germain's offensive options

PSG have signed Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco in a deal worth around €50 million. The attacker, who was part of Didier Deschamps’ France World Cup squad, had long been linked with a move to the French capital, managed six goals and six assists last season in Ligue 1. He is 24 years old and made his debut for Monaco back in 2021.

PSG have also been linked with other forward options, including Ajax’s Mika Godts and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres, the latter of whom is of course fresh off the back of scoring the winning goal in last month’s World Cup final vs Argentina. Torres has apparently started to feel underappreciated at his current club Barcelona, and therefore could be set to leave this summer, with PSG being the club he is most heavily linked with as of now.

There will be some eyebrows raised at PSG signing more attackers when they already have terrific depth in that department, but it’s worth remembering that Gonçalo Ramos has already left the club, as has Kang In Lee, and that Bradley Barcola could also be on his way out of the door this summer, as interest persists from Liverpool. If those three players do indeed depart, then it’s reasonable for PSG to bring in three fresh attacking options.

Luis Enrique has made it perfectly clear over the last two seasons that the profile of forward he prefers is someone fluid who is able to play anywhere across the PSG attack. Akliouche fits the bill here: his profile is somewhat similar to that of Désiré Doué in that he is able to play as an attacking midfielder and off the right wing. It seems likeliest that at PSG he will be asked to play mainly as part of PSG’s rotating front three.

In signing Godts and Akliouche, PSG would be increasing their squad depth on either side of the attack, whereas Ferran Torres would be more a central option, in the mould, perhaps, of the false nine role that has been mostly occupied by Ousmane Dembélé over the last couple of seasons. It is believed that PSG would still much rather keep Barcola as an option in attack but were he to leave, it seems that they have already prepared for his departure.

PSG’s pre season continues today as they face off against Manchester United, their last friendly match before they play the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday against Aston Villa.

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