Tottenham Hotspur-linked AS Monaco playmaker Maghnes Akliouche hints at future move to Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur had an eventful deadline day of the past summer transfer window, where they secured the signing of Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain. In the final week of the transfer window, Spurs bagged the signature of highly-rated playmaker Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, as Thomas Frank managed to add two attackers to his squad.
The north Londoners had faced several setbacks in the market to bring in a creative midfielder as a possible replacement for the injured James Maddison. They had triggered Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, only for Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis to intervene a block a move. Not to forget, Arsenal hijacked Tottenham’s pursuit of Eberechi Eze at the 11th hour, leaving the club bosses and the fans totally frustrated.
Spurs were also interested in signing AS Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche. The creative winger was available for around £47.5 million in the summer, but the Thomas Frank-managed club did not make any advances, and he has since stayed with AS Monaco.
Tottenham target Maghnes Akliouche harbours dreams of playing in the Premier League
Maghnes Akliouche has enjoyed a decent start to the new season, bagging two goals and an assist in seven Ligue 1 games. AS Monaco has blown hot and cold and stands seventh in the Ligue 1 table. The France international has not really allowed speculation affect his performances at the Principality this term.
It is understood that the Monaco wideman was of interest to Tottenham before they signed Xavi Simons. Ahead of facing Tottenham in the Champions League, the 23-year-old was asked about the north London club’s interest in him. Akliouche described the speculation as “very flattering” and did not rule out a future move to the Premier League.
“I thought it was very flattering to have these kind of stories and links but I’m a Monaco player and I’m playing against Spurs tomorrow, so I will give my best,” Akliouche told Football London.
“In terms of playing in the Premier League, why not? We will see in the future but tomorrow I will give my all.”
Spurs must try testing Monaco’s resolve for Akliouche in January
In a squad bereft of the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, owing to injury issues, Tottenham are bound to struggled with creativity and flair to unlock the opposition defences. Spurs signed Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to address the creativity issue, and the former has been the club’s standout player thus far. Xavi is yet to find his feet in the Premier League and came under scrutiny following his poor display in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Spurs are crying out for a creative player to complement Kudus in the final third, and Akliouche could very well be that customer. While Akliouche is not a household name yet, the Monaco winger saw himself rapidly emerging as one of French football’s most dangerous young attackers. He has made a name for himself thanks to his dribbling, movement on and off the ball, vision and and ability to break defensive lines.
As the Hotspur Way chiefs failed to sign a wide player in the summer after Kudus’ acquisition, and with Frank seemingly regretting not sufficiently addressing the creativity issue in his team, a winter move for Akliouche would make total sense. That said, Spurs must consider testing Monaco’s resolve for the Frenchman.