It is fair to say the Paul Mitchell era at Premier League giants Newcastle United is yet to really explode into life.
The club’s new sporting director was viewed as one of the most respected talentspotters in European football before his arrival at St James’ Park back in July.
Paul Mitchell remains famed for his outstanding ability to pluck rising stars out of relative obscurity; the brains behind the Mauricio Pochettino operation at both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
But following an underwhelming first summer – a summer spent chasing Marc Guehi in vain while failing to bring in a single new face capable of really strengthening Eddie Howe’s starting XI – Mitchell faced plenty of criticism outside Newcastle’s boardroom.
Yet, those connections he has built up over more than a decade at the top level could still come in very handy.
TBR understands that Paul Mitchell wants to raid Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche; a silky attacking midfielder he knows very well from his time working in the Principality.
Newcastle United target Maghnes Akliouche labelled the new Antoine Griezmann
Newcastle are in the market for forward capable of playing behind the striker and potentially out wide as well. Akliouche ticks both of those boxes, providing four goals and four assists for Monaco this season while situated largely on the right-hand side of Adi Hutter’s attack.
The France Under 21 international, who ended his breakout 2023/24 season with an impressive eight goals, even netted in a famous 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona a few months ago.
And Yves Le Mee, an agent who has watched Akliouche’s development closely, feels that the Monaco academy graduate has already moved out of the reach of clubs without access to considerable transfer funds.
According to L’Equipe, Monaco are demanding over £20 million after turning down an offer from Inter Milan over the summer.
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Le Mee also sees similarities between Akliouche and a young Antoine Griezmann, Monaco’s number 11 sharing the Atletico Madrid superstar’s supreme technical gifts in the final third.
“He will definitely be in the national team soon,” Le Mee tells Sport Italia. “I see him as the one who will take up Griezmann’s legacy.
“And yes, I see him as a player who is off the market for everyone except the Premier League and the top clubs in Europe. If you have the money you can arrive at the last minute. Without [huge amounts of funds], you have to arrive early.
“Today, it is already too late [for Serie A clubs to sign Akliouche].”
Monaco star Akliouche could replace Miguel Almiron at Newcastle
L’Equipe add that Manchester City, Juventus and Griezmann’s Atletico have all shown an interest.
As have Paris Saint-Germain, with Akliouche lined up to follow in Kylien Mbappe’s footsteps with a switch from the Principality to the Parc des Princes.
“We see him progressing,” Monaco captain and one-time Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria told reporters back in November. “He is a different player to the one from the start of last season. Before, he was a bit of a kid but he has matured.
“In his game, he often makes the right decisions. He is really a very good player.”
Newcastle’s interest will raise further doubts about the future of Miguel Almiron at St James’ Park. TBR understands that Almiron could leave Newcastle for Saudi Arabia, although there is also interest from the MLS in the former Atlanta United talisman.
“He has a valid contract. The link was renewed last year for three more (June 2027), and with the new owners of the club,” Daniel Campos, the Paraguay international’s agent, explains to TYC Sports.
“Miguel does not despair about money issues or doing crazy things. [But] if there is an offer from a team, we will go through the appropriate channels.”