Liverpool launch ‘ridiculous’ £43m bid to sign star player

This season in the Premier League under Arne Slott, Liverpool have at times lacked creativity or sparkle in their attacking play at the top end of the pitch.

The Dutchman may be to blame for the systems and tactics deployed on the pitch, but the Reds also lack naturally creative and inventive attacking players.

Mohamed Salah created 27 ‘big chances’ and provided 18 assists in the Premier League last season, doing all he could to win the PFA Player of the Year award.

However, the Egyptian forward has not reached those heights this season, having created 10 “big chances” and provided six assists in 25 appearances in the Reds’ top flight.

One of the priorities in the summer transfer window should therefore be to find more creative players who can provide a spark on the pitch next season.

Liverpool could make a bid to sign Ligue 1 star

One of Liverpool’s most inventive players of the past decade or so has been Brazilian magician Roberto Firmino, who scored 111 goals and provided 76 assists in 362 games for the club.

The Brazil international was always a joy to watch at Anfield, as he had incredible technical quality and creativity to link attacks and create chances for his team-mates.

The Premier League giants are now reportedly considering a player who could arrive at Anfield next season as a slot version of Firmino.

According to L’Equipe, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Monaco attacking midfielder Magnes Akuriosh in the summer transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United were keen to sign the star last year but were reluctant to pay his then £60m valuation.

Now, L’Equipe have reported that the Reds are set to make an offer for the French talent this year and could bid as much as £43 million to bring the attacker to England.

The paper claims that both Liverpool and PSG are vying for his signature, with Monaco also willing to let him leave this time, but it remains to be seen whether £43m is enough to get them to sign him.

How Magnes Akurios can become Liverpool’s new Roberto Firmino

Before moving to Liverpool, Firmino only appeared in nine of Hoffenheim’s 153 games as a striker. He usually played as an attacking midfielder, right winger or second striker for the German side.

Akuriosh usually plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for Monaco, making 107 starts in these two roles, but he has scored two goals in three games as a center forward for the French club.

Like Firmino, the France international could transform into Liverpool’s dynamic centre-forward if he gains experience as a creative and inventive player in the number 10 position and on the right wing.

Akliusz was one of the most creative players in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, creating 15 “big chances” and providing 10 assists, one less than Rayan Cherki.

The French star has since shone in the Premier League with Manchester City, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further 15 this season, suggesting the Monaco talent could follow in his footsteps.

Liverpool’s £43m transfer target, described as “ridiculous” by scout Ben Mattinson, has shown ingenuity as both a scorer and goal creator for Monaco over the past two seasons, scoring 14 goals and assisting 22 in all competitions.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, he has created 37 ‘big chances’ in all competitions, and only Salah, 52, can put up a better figure for Liverpool, suggesting he could be exactly what Liverpool need to revitalize their attack.

With Salah leaving in the summer, the Reds need a player who can cut through opposition defenses and provide moments of magic in the final third, and Akurios is that player.

The 24-year-old wizard could therefore be the perfect signing for Liverpool. That’s because he poses a threat both as a scorer and goal creator, and can bring the kind of invention in central areas that the club has lacked since Firmino’s arrival from Anfield.