Arsenal turn to £60m Ligue 1 star in search for a new winger – Bundlezy

Arsenal turn to £60m Ligue 1 star in search for a new winger

Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg
Mikel Arteta hopes to add a new winger to his squad (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal are in the hunt for a new winger this summer and have Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche on their list of targets.

The Gunners are pursuing a number of new signings this summer, but as yet have only confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a £5m deal.

Central midfield is set to be boosted, with both Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard expected to arrive, while the search for a new striker continues.

Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko remain the two most likely options up front, although deals are proving tricky to get over the line.

Eberchi Eze has also emerged as a target for Arsenal, while they remain in search of a new winger as well.

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The likes of Nico Williams and Noni Madueke have been linked with a move to the Emirates, while there it has now been reported that Akliouche has caught the eye in north London.

The 23-year-old has made his way into the Monaco first team, featuring regularly over the last two seasons.

Benfica v AS Monaco - UEFA Champions League
Maghnes Akliouche has impressed over the last two years at Monaco (Picture: Getty Images)

He scored seven goals in 43 appearances across all competitions over the last campaign, while he was also a creative force, providing 10 assists in 32 Ligue 1 games.

He is yet to make his debut for the France national side, but has been capped up to Under-21 level and played regularly in the Olympic campaign at Paris 2024.

L’Equipe report that Arsenal are far from alone in admiring Akliouche, with Manchester United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City all said to have an interest in him.

Arsenal are in the race alongside them although Monaco will not let Akliouche go cheaply, valuing the young star at around £60m.

Bologna FC v  AS Monaco - UEFA Champions League 2024/25
Akliouche played 10 times in the Champions League last season (Picture: Getty Images)

The report from France states that another option for Arsenal could be Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who would be a cheaper signing as he is likely available at around £43m.

Speaking in April, Monaco boss Adi Hutter acknowledged that there will likely be a lot of interest in his player this summer and said he is ready to make a step up.

‘He is already playing at a top club,’ the manager said of the winger. ‘We are all happy with what he has done over the last two years. He made a big, big step in the right direction.

‘I can imagine that the club is receiving some offers from him. He is 23, and I don’t see many players with the same skills as Akliouche. When you ask me, he is ready to make the next step. We will see what happens with Maghnes.

‘We are proud that we brought a young player from the academy to become a performance player at the club and then to maybe become a top top player at a top top club.’

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