Tottenham Hotspur are already preparing for a busy summer transfer window filled with incomings and outgoings.
Tottenham endured a woeful 2024/25 campaign and started sounding out targets early as the North London club looks to bounce back next term.
Free agents like Jonathan David and Angel Gomes are reportedly targets for Spurs. Another name swirling in the Spurs rumour mill is Maghnes Akliouche of AS Monaco.
His name is not going away. L’Equipe reports that Tottenham are interested in his services and initiated discussions.
However, they are not alone, with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain keen on signing Akliouche. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest are also in the race.
They will be wary of Monaco’s €60 million asking price. PSG do not want to go higher than €50 million.
Akliouche will likely provide creativity alongside James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for Tottenham.
There have been talks about a return to Italy for Kulusevski, and Akliouche would be a like-for-like replacement.
Akliouche delivered seven goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season, serving as the playmaker for the Principality Club.
His progressive passing and carrying numbers are excellent. Akliouche would be a top addition for Spurs, but that €60 million price tag could prove a sticking point.
Affordable Alternatives for Akliouche – View
Spurs cannot afford to chuck €60 million on Akliouche when his international teammate Rayan Cherki is available for less than half that sum.
Cherki took Ligue 1 by storm this season, creating the most big chances (22) while registering eight goals and 11 assists.
The 21-year-old has announced he will leave boyhood club Lyon this summer, and Spurs should be all over him.
Cherki can deliver the same quality in the final third as Akliouche for less. The Lyon ace will be a bargain transfer for whichever club can get him.
Another option Tottenham should explore is Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
The Moroccan is also an exciting playmaker, and with the Foxes going down, Spurs should go after him.
Tottenham signed Maddison from Leicester, and he has been a faithful servant.
Spurs can repeat the trick with El Khannouss, although Leicester will want to profit on the £21 million they paid for his services.
(Stats from Sofascore and Transfermarkt)