Five forwards now on Richard Hughes' summer transfer shortlist

Liverpool are stepping up preparations for a transfer market assault this summer.

The Reds are looking for reinforcements on the wings - with the futures of Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa set to be decided.

Salah, 33, could be made available to teams in Saudi Arabia or the USA if the right bid is made while Chiesa is wanted back home in Serie A.

On the other side Arne Slot is crying out for more options amid a season of poor form for Cody Gakpo. The Dutch head coach has only got 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha in reserve and he has been hesitant to use the winger from the start in the Premier League.

A report in TEAMtalk now confirms the identity of five attackers Liverpool would like to sign this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue feature high up on the list - as does Michael Olise of Bayern Munich.

But owing to difficulties in extracting those three from their current clubs it looks as though Reds recruiters are ready to move on to other targets.

It’s no surprise to see Yan Diomande’s name included - with the RB Leipzig sensation well-liked at Anfield.

Akliouche added to Liverpool list

And a new name is also in the frame - with 24-year-old Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco now a target.

“Liverpool are understood to have added Akliouche to their shortlist as they assess potential attacking reinforcements ahead of the summer window,” the report reads.

“The Merseyside club are actively considering options to succeed Saudi target Mohamed Salah, whose future at Liverpool FC looks increasingly uncertain heading into the off-season.

“The Merseyside outfit were present in Paris on Friday to watch Akliouche in action for AS Monaco FC during their impressive 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.”

Akliouche got a goal and an assist versus PSG in a very impressive outing and it is a matter of time before he steps up to a bigger club.

“Liverpool’s recruitment team are continuing extensive work on alternative targets – a process that has brought Akliouche firmly into consideration,” the report reads.

Liverpool forward targets: Situation summary

Bradley Barcola (PSG) Rotation but high‑impact wide forward under contract to 2028; PSG consider him core to their project and are briefing he is not for sale, so a deal is virtually impossible this summer.

Désiré Doué (PSG) Starting attacking midfielder/winger on a long Paris deal; PSG see him as a face of their post‑Mbappé era and have shown no willingness to sell, making a 2026 move close to impossible.

Michael Olise (Bayern) First‑choice right‑sided attacker contracted to 2029; Bayern regard him as “priceless” and have no intention of entertaining offers, so he is effectively off the market this summer.

Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) Emerging starting wide forward tied down to 2030; Leipzig insist he will stay and are relaxed about interest, so he’s extremely hard to get without an outrageous, probably nine‑figure bid.

Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco) Increasingly important attacking midfielder/winger on a deal through 2028; Monaco want to build around him and would only talk at Champions League‑level money, so he’s difficult but not completely out of reach.

Analysis

Liverpool shook up their central attacking options last summer - with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz all coming on board.

Next summer it will be time to see the wide options improved. Liverpool need pace, creativity and goals from the wings and they haven’t been able to get the requisite output from Gakpo and Salah this term.

And so even if the likes of Barcola, Doue and Olise are not available we could see top talents arrive in the shape of Diomande and Akliouche.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool get GREEN light to sign Nico Schlotterbeck

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool

👉🏻 Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS belief £52m Liverpool target will agree move