Manchester City’s transfer radar is once again shining on France, and this time it’s not just for the big names already dominating European football, but for a young winger who has drawn comparisons with one of the continent’s most exciting rising stars, Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain. The Etihad scouts have been quietly impressed by Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, a name not as glamorous yet as Doue’s, but one that carries the same creative spark and attacking energy that Pep Guardiola’s system loves. Reports from France suggest that City have been given the green light to move for Akliouche, a player many are already calling “the next Desire Doue.” For a club that is always looking for long-term success and balance in recruitment, this might just be one of their smartest pieces of business yet.
Desire Doue has become the new face of youth brilliance in French football. At only 19 years old, his name already commands respect across Europe. His rise at Paris Saint-Germain has been sensational, and this season alone, he has broken through as one of the most technically gifted young players in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Doue’s flair, ball control, and intelligence on the field have made him a central figure in PSG’s future project, with fans at the Parc des Princes believing they are watching the next great French playmaker emerge before their eyes. FourFourTwo recently ranked him number eight on their list of the most exciting teenage talents to watch in Europe this season—a sign of how quickly he has climbed into elite football conversation.
However, while clubs like Manchester City admire Doue’s talent, his price tag makes him a difficult target. PSG are in no mood to lose their next superstar cheaply, especially after seeing other young stars like Kylian Mbappe leave for free or force moves away. Reports suggest that the French champions won’t even consider any offer below €100 million for Doue, which in today’s financial environment makes him nearly impossible to buy for any Premier League club that still has to obey the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Pep Guardiola and City’s transfer team understand the limitations that come with those financial rules, so instead of focusing on the impossible, they have turned their attention to a realistic alternative — Maghnes Akliouche.
At 22, Akliouche is slightly older than Doue, but his rise in French football has followed a similar pattern. Coming through AS Monaco’s academy, a club famous for producing and developing world-class players like Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, and Aurelien Tchouameni, Akliouche has been one of their brightest prospects in recent seasons. This season alone, he has recorded six goals and ten assists across all competitions, numbers that might not be eye-popping but are impressive for a young winger in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. More importantly, his style of play—creative, fearless, and technically sharp—has drawn comparisons to Doue. Like Doue, Akliouche thrives in tight spaces, loves to dribble past defenders, and has a calmness in the final third that makes him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s high-possession, high-precision system.
According to reports from L’Équipe, Manchester City have been monitoring Akliouche for months, and internal discussions at the club have identified him as a potential target who fits both their tactical needs and financial structure. Guardiola is said to be an admirer of the player’s creativity and decision-making, particularly his ability to play in multiple attacking roles across the front line. The deal could reportedly be done for around €50 million—a fraction of the €100 million that PSG would demand for Desire Doue. This difference in price could make all the difference for City, who are expected to have multiple positions to strengthen this summer.
City’s transfer strategy in recent years has been built on balancing quality with value. They can spend big when they need to—Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are good examples—but they prefer deals that make long-term sense both financially and tactically. Akliouche seems to fit that category perfectly. He is young, dynamic, and still improving, meaning Guardiola can mold him into exactly the type of wide creative player City often depend on. The Premier League champions are already thinking about the future of their attacking structure, especially as Kevin De Bruyne’s career slowly reaches its later stages and Bernardo Silva continues to attract interest from clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia. A younger player like Akliouche could not only provide depth but also give Guardiola a new weapon for the next generation of his tactical evolution at City.
It’s no secret that Guardiola loves technically intelligent wingers. From Riyad Mahrez to Jack Grealish, from Bernardo Silva to Phil Foden, he has always relied on wide players who can both create and control tempo. Akliouche, with his elegant left foot and clever movement, has the traits Guardiola values most. His versatility means he can play as a winger, an advanced midfielder, or even as a false nine—a flexibility that makes him particularly appealing to a coach known for rotating systems mid-game. For City, that kind of player is priceless. And yet, in Akliouche’s case, he could cost only half of what PSG would demand for Doue.
Another advantage City have in pursuing the Monaco winger is their existing relationship with the club. In the past, City have successfully negotiated for top talent from Monaco, most notably Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy, both of whom joined during the 2017 summer window when Monaco’s young team took Europe by storm. That connection, built through mutual respect and previous deals, could smooth the path for another transfer this summer. Monaco, who are known for selling their best players at the right price, may see City as an ideal partner again—especially since Akliouche’s market value, according to Transfermarkt, is around €40 million.
But beyond numbers and fees, there is a footballing story that makes this potential transfer so fascinating. The modern Manchester City is a team built on the idea of evolution—of staying one step ahead of everyone else. Guardiola never wants his side to grow comfortable or predictable. When Mahrez left for Saudi Arabia, many thought City would replace him immediately with another experienced winger, but Guardiola preferred patience. He wanted to find the right profile, not just the right name. That patience may now be paying off if Akliouche becomes their next big development project.
This summer could be one of the most crucial transfer windows of Guardiola’s reign. City have several key issues to address—especially the gradual aging of their midfield. Ilkay Gundogan’s departure last year was the first signal that the core group that delivered multiple Premier League titles was entering its final stretch together. Kevin De Bruyne, although still world-class, has missed more matches through injury in recent seasons. Bernardo Silva remains key but is always one big offer away from leaving. That’s why the club’s scouting department has been searching for younger creative players who can carry City’s rhythm for the next five to seven years. Akliouche, in that sense, represents the future Guardiola wants to build.
Reports in France claim that Monaco would be open to a summer sale if the right offer arrives, and City are now believed to have made positive contact through intermediaries. The player himself is said to be open to the idea of playing in the Premier League, particularly under a manager like Guardiola, whose reputation for improving attacking players is unmatched. For a young French talent, City’s training environment—with its focus on technical development, tactical understanding, and constant competition for places—would be a dream scenario.
For City, signing Akliouche would also make financial sense beyond just the initial transfer fee. The Premier League’s PSR rules have made it harder for even rich clubs to spend without control. Every million counts now, and if the difference between Doue and Akliouche is around €50 million, that saving could easily help City strengthen in other key positions. They are expected to look for a new goalkeeper to back up or eventually replace Ederson, a new full-back as cover, and possibly a creative midfielder to support the transition when De Bruyne eventually slows down. Spending smartly has become a necessity, not a choice.
Of course, there will always be those who believe City should just go for the biggest name available. But Guardiola’s philosophy has never been about collecting stars—it’s about building a balanced, intelligent team that can play his football perfectly. Akliouche fits that mold better than most people might realize. Watching him for Monaco this season shows why scouts are excited. His dribbling is smooth, his decision-making mature, and he has a knack for timing passes that break defensive lines. He might not have Doue’s explosive flair yet, but he plays with a calmness that suggests he could adapt quickly to City’s demanding tactical environment.
Desire Doue may still end up as one of Europe’s most expensive young players if PSG decide to let him go one day, but for now, his price has placed him out of reach. Akliouche, however, offers a golden opportunity—similar quality, much lower cost, and a style that fits the Premier League’s pace. If City move quickly, they could secure one of France’s brightest playmakers before his value skyrockets.
Pep Guardiola knows better than anyone how fast football changes. The same way Bernardo Silva arrived from Monaco in 2017 and grew into a world-class midfielder, Akliouche could follow a similar path. Monaco’s academy has a proven record of developing players who thrive in bigger leagues. From Mbappe to Fabinho, from Lemar to Tchouameni, their graduates have consistently adapted to top-level football with ease. City’s belief in Akliouche is therefore not a gamble—it’s a calculated investment.
In the end, this is what Manchester City’s modern success has been built on: smart decisions, not emotional ones. They know when to spend big, when to walk away, and when to spot a hidden gem before everyone else does. The green light to sign Akliouche might just be the start of another transfer success story at the Etihad. A few years from now, we might be looking back at this moment as the birth of another Guardiola masterpiece—a player who arrived quietly but became one of Europe’s best.
For now, as the Premier League season nears its close, City’s focus remains on the pitch, where they continue their relentless pursuit of trophies. But behind the scenes, the future is already being planned. Maghnes Akliouche could soon be part of that future, bringing with him the same excitement, creativity, and youthful fire that once defined a young Desire Doue. The only difference this time is that City might get him for half the price—and if history tells us anything about Manchester City under Guardiola, it’s that they know how to turn good players into great ones.
