Tottenham eye Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, according to fresh reports from The Telegraph.

The north London club had been working on a deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Spurs were close to sealing an agreement before Arsenal stepped in and hijacked the move.

Losing out on Eze has forced Tottenham to shift their attention elsewhere. They remain determined to strengthen the attacking areas of their squad.

The need for creativity has become even more pressing for Thomas Frank’s team. This is mainly because James Maddison faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Competition for Akliouche’s signature

Akliouche, 23, is an important member of AS Monaco’s first-team squad. The Ligue 1 club are unwilling to part ways easily, as they regard him as vital.

Monaco also knows there is growing interest in the midfielder from Europe’s top leagues. They would prefer to keep him, but rival clubs are monitoring the situation closely.

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are believed to be very keen on Akliouche. Reports suggest they are seriously considering making a concrete approach for the talented Frenchman.

Akliouche is already a France Under-21 international and is widely admired across Europe. His reputation has continued to grow after two brilliant seasons with Monaco.

He became a consistent starter during that period and proved he could perform at the highest level. Coaches and scouts have been impressed with his rapid progress in France.

In the 2024/25 campaign, he contributed seven goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Those figures underline his effectiveness and importance in Monaco’s attack.

Akliouche is highly versatile, able to operate in several roles across the forward line. He is often deployed as an attacking midfielder, but also thrives out wide.

When used on the right flank, he likes to cut inside onto his stronger left foot. His movement and awareness allow him to exploit gaps behind opposition defenders.

He is an excellent dribbler who enjoys carrying the ball forward and beating opponents in one-on-one situations. His vision and range of passing add another dimension.

Tottenham’s pursuit of Akliouche will not be straightforward with competition from abroad. However, his creativity and versatility make him a target worth following closely.