Newcastle now eyeing ‘box office’ move for insane forward, he wants to join
Newcastle United have set their sights on Monaco’s electrifying winger Maghnes Akliouche as they prepare for a crucial summer rebuild, with sporting director Paul Mitchell personally driving the pursuit of the 23-year-old Frenchman.
The Magpies’ recruitment team received first-hand confirmation of Akliouche’s burgeoning talent during France U21’s recent victory over England, where scouts returned “seriously impressed” after monitoring his performance.
Akliouche has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting prospects this season, earning rave reviews for his “box office” displays and “insane” technical ability.
His current campaign statistics demonstrate why Newcastle consider him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Miguel Almiron’s January departure:
| Metric | 2024/25 Ligue 1 | All Competitions |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 25 | 36 |
| Goals | 4 | 6 |
| Assists | 8 | 10 |
| Goal-creating actions | 16 | N/A |
| Minutes played | 1,877 | N/A |
The French winger’s creative output becomes even more impressive when considering his overall contribution – 15 goals and 15 assists in just 89 senior appearances for Monaco paints the picture of a player rapidly developing into a complete attacking threat.
His four direct goal contributions in the Champions League this season further prove he can perform at the highest level.
Newcastle face significant competition for Akliouche’s signature, with Monaco holding a strong negotiating position thanks to his contract running until June 2028. While no exact fee has been mentioned, the Magpies’ willingness to invest in young talent suggests they’re prepared to meet the Principality club’s valuation.
Mitchell has identified several alternatives should the Akliouche deal prove unattainable, with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke reportedly topping the contingency list.
GIVEMESPORT sources indicate Newcastle lead the race for the England international, while Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino and PSV’s Johan Bakayoko remain viable options.
Akliouche’s potential arrival would signal Newcastle’s ambition to build around dynamic young talents as they push for consistent European qualification. Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League with ten games remaining, Eddie Howe’s side remain firmly in contention for continental football next season – a factor that could prove decisive in convincing their top targets to join the project at St James’ Park.
The Brentford clash on Wednesday night marks Newcastle’s return to action, but behind the scenes, preparations intensify for what promises to be a transformative summer.
Akliouche represents exactly the profile of player the Magpies want to attract – young, technically gifted, and hungry to prove himself in Europe’s most competitive league.
Whether this interest materializes into a concrete offer may depend on Newcastle’s final league position and their ability to outmaneuver rival suitors for one of France’s most exciting wing talents.