Lamine Yamal is injured and out for 3-4 weeks, and Barca needs to find not only a temporary replacement but also a permanent backup to avoid such tragedies in the future. There are several players like Nico Williams, Rafael Leao and Ademola Lookman with rumours of joining the Catalan giants in the January transfer market and recently a new name has surfaced after Maghnes Akliouche has been cited by Mundo Deportivo to have said: “As well as playing for Monaco, I would like to play for Barca”. Most Culers would remember him from the opening UCL game against Monaco where he scored a Brace against Barca. Here I want to make a detailed analysis of the player and explain why Barca should consider him a key candidate to be in their January signings.
Versatile and Adaptive
Akliouche is a player with a very versatile profile as he delivers on multiple positions wherever his team needs it. His primary position is Right Wing but he thrives as an Attacking Midfielder and even as a Holding Midfielder. With Hansi Flick looking to increase their squad depth to regain the intensity his team once had, Maghnes might be a handy fix to his problems.
Creative Machine
Akliouche has an unbelievable vision for his age. He looks like an experienced veteran when breaking defensive lines through a single pass. This will give a chance for players like Olmo, who looked exhausted against Leganes to get the much-needed rest. He suits Hansi Flick’s style of play perfectly to find the runs of Raphinha and Lewandoski. It will also take pressure off Lamine and Pedri to provide constant chances.
Elite Winger
While ideally, Akliouche plays on the right wing, considering his versatility he might be useful on the left wing too. He can stretch the pitch and create spaces for the likes of Pedri and Olmo. Balde will benefit a lot by having an out-wide winger by his side allowing him to overlap/underlap, a role which Raphinha has been unable to fulfil as he likes to play as an inside forward.
Maghnes Akliouche has a market value of âŹ40M which seems fair compared to other options on Barca’s radar but a loan can also be a possibility. He’s still only 22 and the potential seems to have no limits. Hansi Flick should definitely consider recruiting him in the winter transfer market.