Updated: 3 Aug 2026 15:59 BST |
5 min read
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AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche is undergoing his PSG medical, and this deal is poised to have major ramifications for Liverpool’s business this window.
The Reds have had quite an eventful summer already, despite so far only signing Jeremy Jacquet in a pre-agreed deal from Stade Rennais and hijacking Newcastle’s deal for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.
Key stars Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson have left the club, but the most meaningful changes have taken place in the dugout and behind the scenes. Arne Slot has been replaced by Andoni Iraola and Fenway Sports Group CEO Michael Edwards has resigned, while sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to soon join Al-Hilal.
In terms of playing personnel, Liverpool’s side is currently far from the finished product – and Iraola knows it. On Sunday, the Reds suffered a 4-2 friendly defeat to Leeds in Chicago after letting a two-goal lead slip.
Injuries and World Cup stars still being in the process of getting into the swing of pre-season have left Liverpool short of options in certain departments, and the Anfield club are looking to rectify this in the market.
Liverpool accelerate on four deals
Despite his expected departure, recruitment boss Hughes is still fully committed to Liverpool. The former Bournemouth transfer guru is currently working on several deals, most notably on one for Bradley Barcola.
The PSG winger is known to be keen on the move to Liverpool, but PSG have yet to indicate that they are ready to let him go because they are still in the process of finalising incomings.
According to Sky Sports, AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche is set to undergo his PSG medical after a €50 million agreement was reached, which could open the door for Barcola to depart. The reigning European champions are also working hard on a deal for Ajax winger Mika Godts.
There have been claims that PSG could demand north of €140m for Barcola, which is a fee Liverpool are understandably reluctant to pay. However, it is expected that a potential transfer to Merseyside will accelerate once Akliouche has been officially signed by the Parisians.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo also outlines the Reds’ other business priorities right now. Sorting out the future of Curtis Jones, who has cut a divisive figure so far in pre-season, is one of them.
Liverpool have been open to handing him a new contract for some time, but progress on that front has been minimal. At the same time, discussions with Inter over a potential transfer have advanced at a snail’s pace.
The Serie A giants have seen several bids – considered by Liverpool to have been disrespectful low-ball offers – rejected, though there is an expectation that they will soon make a fresh move for Jones, who is open to heading to Milan.
Intermediaries have informed Liverpool that Inter are ready to up their offer for Jones in an effort to finally resolve an impasse that has frustrated all parties since January.
The report also relays information from Italy that suggests Liverpool have opened talks over a deal for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori in the wake of Joe Gomez’s new injury. A deal is not yet advanced but could accelerate swiftly, with Iraola in need of defensive reinforcements.
More concrete is a potential departure of Cody Gakpo. Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham are ready to get serious over a move for the Netherlands international, although Liverpool have yet to make a firm transfer decision on him.
Liverpool’s easy Gakpo decision
A deal for Gakpo, in turn, could help finance the signing of Barcola, and data from analytics firm SciSports suggests that the choice between the Dutchman and the Frenchman should be an easy one for Liverpool.
Gakpo has been a hugely frustrating player for the Anfield club, and he is coming off a disastrous season. Although he impressed at the World Cup and SciSports suggests that his underlying numbers were actually not too shabby in 2025/26, most Reds fans would be happy to see the back of him.
The versatile but predictable and inconsistent attacker has likely already hit his career zenith at 27, which is in stark contrast to the 23-year-old Barcola. According to SciSports, the PSG winger’s ceiling is significantly higher than the peak Gakpo hit shortly before he turned 26.
Although Barcola still remains something of a bet for the future because he, too, is currently inconsistent, particularly with his finishing, the payoff further down the line could be tremendous for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s current business
Liverpool are currently working on the following deals:
Incoming
• Bradley Barcola (PSG, player keen, working on club-to-club agreement)
• Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan, transfer being explored)
Outgoing
• Curtis Jones (Inter, improved offer being prepared)
• Cody Gakpo (Spurs, talks to accelerate)
Related stories:
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Barcola developments, Savinho latest, PSG €100m deals
10 huge transfers that could be completed this month
Premier League summer transfers 2026: All the Done Deals
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