AS Monaco have reportedly rejected a fourth Paris Saint-Germain bid for Liverpool target Maghnes Akliouche. The Reds had made an approach to the Ligue 1 side over the 24-year-old as they assessed the market for wingers following Mohamed Salah's departure.
PSG's latest offer rejected
According to L'Equipe, PSG's fourth bid for the France international, worth a reported €45million (£38m), has been turned down by their French top-flight rivals. The reigning Ligue 1 and Champions League holders are said to have no intention of overpaying for the attacker, who has two years remaining on his contract with the sovereign state.
Liverpool could pounce
The Parisiens' failure to land the forward could spark Liverpool into action, it has been reported, should PSG and Monaco fail to reach an agreement. But both Ligue 1 sides are said to continue negotiations.
The ECHO reported last week that Monaco were contacted by Anfield chiefs earlier in the transfer window to check on his availability. However, Monaco face a difficult decision over their first-team regular as Foot Mercato have claimed that Akliouche has set his sights on linking up with Luis Enrique, and that he has told Liverpool he has decided he wants to join PSG.
Iraola wants wide reinforcements
Andoni Iraola has made it no secret that the Liverpool side he inherited needs reinforcements. The Basque tactician has highlighted his desire for attacking additions in wide areas.
Earlier in pre-season, he said: "I think it is difficult to say a number. When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. Winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have. We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."
Liverpool set for Barcola talks
Iraola could get what he asked for as Liverpool are reportedly set for talks with PSG star Bradley Barcola. The Reds are looking to step up their pursuit of the France international, having received encouragement after preliminary talks with the 23-year-old's representatives.
Liverpool are readying negotiations with the Parisiens but could be forced to break their transfer record with the European champions valuing the frontman at around £140million, a fee that Liverpool are unlikely to meet, with a middle-ground needing to be found with Enrique's side. Barcola has two years remaining on his contract at the Parc des Princes but suggestions are that they are unable to reach an agreement with the forward over new terms. In each of PSG's Champions League triumphs, the Frenchman has been introduced off the bench in both.
