Transfer rumors, news: Man United, Liverpool fight for Monaco forward
The star of AS Monaco Maghnès Akliouche is followed by Manchester United and Liverpool, while the Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is pushing to complete his move to Barcelona. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the world.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester United and Liverpool are increasingly interested in the AS Monaco star Maghnès Akliouche before the summer, TEAMtalk reports. Both teams have reportedly sent scouts to monitor the striker in action against Marseille in Ligue 1 this weekend. The 24-year-old has seven goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, playing on the right side of the attack.
– Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is pushing to quickly complete his move to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo, as he seeks to agree personal terms. Bastoni, 26, is Barcelona’s main target to improve their defense and the Italy international believes the sooner negotiations begin, the sooner a move can be finalized. However, Sport reports that the Bologna central defender John Lucumi could be a cheaper alternative since his transfer would cost 25 million euros compared to 60 million euros for Bastoni.
– Ibrahima Konate is increasingly likely to extend his stay at Liverpool, as he enters the final months of his contract at Anfield. That’s according to L’Equipe, who claim the defender wants his future sorted before this summer’s World Cup. The 26-year-old is interested in La Liga, but appears inclined to sign another deal with Liverpool, as they build a backline for the future with the arrival of €60m from Jeremy Jacquet already settled.
– Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga does not intend to leave the club during the next transfer window, specifies Florian Plettenberg. The 23-year-old has been linked with a potential exit, with the club reportedly open to offers of around €50 million to sign the midfielder. However, despite rumors of interest from PSG and Liverpool, Camavinga wants to stay at Real Madrid and his contract runs until 2029.
– Juventus inquired about the transfer of the Al Hilal striker Darwin Nuñezaccording to Gianluca Di Marzio. The former Liverpool striker endured a difficult debut campaign in Saudi Arabia, having been unlisted for the SPL squad for the second half of the campaign. This has paved the way for a possible exit this summer, with Juventus among those keen to sign the Uruguay international.
EXPERT OPINION
ESPN resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen gives us his thoughts on Maghnes Akliouche.
Akliouche’s form has been inconsistent since his first breakthrough in 2022, and that pattern has repeated this season as he made only a modest impact during Monaco’s difficult first half before flourishing in his current excellent run.
Seven goals and eight assists in all competitions, as well as 1.40 key passes (per 90), place him among the most productive creators in Ligue 1. Indeed, this last figure is particularly revealing because it says a lot about his main qualities.
While most modern young wingers tend to rely on attacks and width as their primary weapons, Akliouche emerges as something more akin to a classic playmaker. He will often take an extra touch to drift around the field, analyze the play, then pick and choose the best passing option.
His range of passing is extraordinary, with short dinks, brilliant switches, perfect balls threading tight spaces and the technique behind each delivery is almost clinical in its execution. Additionally, he often hits the ball with very little backswing, generating contact that works just as well for a disguised layoff as it does for a low, well-placed attempt from the edge of the box. These touches are as aesthetic as they are effective.
One area that needs work is his defensive contribution. Although Akliouche presses when situations demand it – and he returns to it with due diligence – asserting himself physically in duels remains an underdeveloped part of his game.
OTHER RUMORS
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– Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarté is expected to leave this summer, with Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, AC Milan and Galatasaray interested. (TEAMtalk)
– Barcelona is open for rental Ferran Torres leaving this summer to help pursue other moves in the transfer market/ (Sport)
– Barcelona informed João CanceloJorge Mendes’ agent on his desire to keep the defender when his loan at Al Hilal ends this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Barcelona not actively looking to move young left-back Alexandre Baldé this summer, but could be open to an offer. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AS Roma have made contact regarding the transfer of the midfielder Julien Brandtwho will be a free agent when he leaves Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. (Gazzetta du Sport)
– The Strasbourg winger Diego Moreirawho joined the club on a permanent deal from Chelsea in 2024, is a target for Borussia Dortmund to strengthen their attacking ranks (Sky Germany).
– Juventus set to trigger permanent signing option Jeremy BogaThe OGC Nice loan agreement. (Nicolo Schira)
