Tottenham Hotspur are once again at the heart of transfer market drama.
Having endured a turbulent summer in which they controversially parted ways with Ange Postecoglou and installed Brentford’s Thomas Frank in the dugout, Spurs have wasted little time making bold moves in their squad rebuild.
The north London club have begun the new Premier League season strongly under their new manager, winning 3-0 at home to Burnley and stunning Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad.
Such results have helped to steady nerves after a 2024/25 league campaign that saw Spurs finish a lowly 17th, even if their Europa League triumph over Manchester United provided a route back into the Champions League.
The summer window has been characterised by major departures and equally significant arrivals.
Fan favourite Son Heung-min, a figure synonymous with Spurs over the past decade, departed for LAFC, while James Maddison suffered a devastating ACL injury in pre-season against Newcastle, ruling him out for the entire campaign.
These developments left a creative void in the side.
Tottenham did move quickly to secure Mohamed Kudus from West Ham for £60m, but the sense prevails that further reinforcements are required, particularly after deals for both Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze fell through in frustrating circumstances.
Spurs hunting for Eze alternative
Their attempts to land young talents with star potential have been well-documented.
Spurs had a bid of €70m rejected for Como’s Nico Paz, a player Real Madrid still retain a buy-back clause for, and saw Arsenal hijack their move for Eze.
An ambitious attempt to prise Savinho from Manchester City was also rebuffed, with City holding out for £70m.
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It now appears that their answer could come from France, where an exciting young player has been described by data analyst Ben Mattinson as “ridiculous” in terms of his potential.
According to Football Insider, Spurs are looking at sealing a move for Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, with a bid worth £47.5m expected to be accepted. It's important to state that the Lilywhites are yet to bid, but they now know the price they'll have to go to in order to complete a deal.
The 23-year-old Frenchman, who operates primarily from the right wing but has shown the versatility to play across midfield and attack, has quickly emerged as a viable alternative to Savinho.
Why Akliouche could be Spurs’ solution
His lower price point compared to Savinho or Paz makes him an appealing option for Spurs, particularly given the club’s wider squad-building needs.
Akliouche broke into Monaco’s first team in 2021 and has been a consistent performer over the past two seasons.
Across his Ligue 1 career, he has contributed 13 goals and 14 assists, while last term alone he made 32 appearances, including ten in the Champions League.
His rise has not gone unnoticed at international level either, earning six caps for France and scoring once.
Akliouche represents a balanced investment: a player young enough to grow with the team but experienced enough in top-flight European competition to make an immediate impact.
His potential signing has been framed as Tottenham’s alternative to Paz, another highly-touted youngster tipped for stardom.
Tottenham’s decision to turn to Akliouche reflects both necessity and opportunity.
With Maddison sidelined for the entire season, the club cannot afford to enter a Champions League campaign short of creativity.
The collapse of their moves for Paz, Eze and Gibbs-White have heightened the urgency, while the ongoing pressure from fans has only increased the demand for statement signings.
Comparisons between Akliouche and Nico Paz are inevitable, given the parallel interest Spurs have shown in both players.
Matches Played
35
32
Starts
30
27
Goal
6
5
Assists
8
10
Progressive Carries
77
127
Progressive Passes
163
273
Statistically, they occupy similar creative roles, though their profiles contain subtle differences that make Akliouche potentially a stronger fit under Frank.
Akliouche stands out for his blend of creative passing and ball progression. According to FBref, he ranks in the 86th percentile compared to positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 (0.30), showing his ability to provide for teammates consistently.
His 71st percentile ranking for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.25) underlines his direct involvement in chance creation, while his 89th percentile for progressive passes (6.15 per 90) and 79th percentile for progressive carries (4.58 per 90) highlight an ability to break lines with both his passing and his dribbling.
His defensive contributions should not be overlooked either, ranking in the 92nd percentile for interceptions per 90 (0.74), making him more well-rounded than many of his attacking midfield contemporaries.
Paz, by contrast, brings a more direct attacking profile. At 20, the Argentine is already showing signs of stardom, ranking in the 97th percentile for total shots per 90 (3.68) and 86th percentile for shot-creating actions (4.95).
His dribbling ability is reflected in his 85th percentile for successful take-ons (2.34 per 90), making him a more goal-oriented option than Akliouche.
However, Tottenham’s failed pursuit of Paz has left them looking for a player who combines creativity with maturity, someone able to step into the Champions League spotlight immediately.
That balance is why Akliouche’s candidacy is so compelling. Unlike Savinho, whose £70m valuation was deemed excessive, Akliouche’s £47.5m fee represents relative value in today’s market.
More importantly, his statistical profile suggests he could provide much-needed creativity following Maddison’s injury, while also offering tactical flexibility across midfield and attack.
He may not yet carry the global recognition of Paz or Savinho, but his combination of technical quality, versatility, and productivity makes him a signing that could reshape Spurs’ midfield dynamic.
If the deal is finalised, Tottenham would not only have secured their replacement for Maddison in the short term, but also potentially acquired a cornerstone for the club’s next era under Frank.
