Paris Saint-Germain’s summer has so far been defined by patience rather than fireworks, but that could be about to change in dramatic fashion.
Luis Enrique’s champions have spent the early weeks of the window tidying the edges of the squad, bringing in Lucas Digne for depth and weighing up options such as Ferran Torres for the rotational attacking role vacated by Goncalo Ramos, a search covered in our look at PSG’s three-man shortlist to replace Ramos.
The bigger question hanging over the Parc des Princes has been the marquee arrival. With the World Cup occupying most of the squad until this week, sporting decisions have been simmering in the background rather than exploding into life.
Now, one of the most respected voices in the transfer market says the wait for the headline deal is nearly over — and Premier League clubs are set to be left empty-handed.
Which star has already said yes to PSG?
The player is Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the 24-year-old’s side of the deal is complete. “Everything is done between Akliouche and PSG. The contract is ready and Akliouche has made it clear he wants to join Paris Saint-Germain,” Romano said on his YouTube channel on Saturday.
Romano described Akliouche as “a special player” who “can play as a No.10 or as a winger” and is “wanted by several Premier League clubs” — but insisted Paris have long been in command. “During the World Cup he spoke with his France team-mates and the message was very clear. He wants PSG,” he added.
On timing, Romano said: “Now Paris Saint-Germain are advancing in talks with Monaco and I think from next week any moment could be the right one to complete the deal and get the final ‘here we go’.”
Where does Akliouche fit in Luis Enrique’s PSG?
It is the question supporters will be asking, and the answer is what makes this deal so appealing. Akliouche’s ability to operate between the lines or wide on the right gives Luis Enrique a creator who fits the positional flexibility his system demands, and at 24 he arrives in his prime years rather than as a project.
His signing would also reframe the conversation around the current attacking group. With Bradley Barcola’s future still unresolved — Romano has repeatedly noted the winger is not untouchable this summer — an Akliouche arrival would give PSG cover and competition whichever way that saga breaks.
The verdict: with personal terms done and the player pushing, this now looks a matter of when, not if. Club-to-club talks with Monaco are the final hurdle, and if Romano’s timeline holds, the “here we go” could land within days. For a club that has spent July in a holding pattern, the headline signing of the summer appears to be days away.
