Tottenham Hotspur's summer transfer window is set to be a busy one, with the club looking to make significant changes to their squad. With the team currently in a relegation dogfight, the club's fate will be determined by their final two Premier League games. This means that any potential deals will be contingent on their final league position.
The new head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, is keen to bring in new players to strengthen the team. Several players are expected to leave the club, including club captain Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, and Yves Bissouma. Loanees Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani will also return to their parent clubs. De Zerbi is particularly interested in signing Palhinha permanently.
One area that needs reinforcement is creativity. Tottenham has been lacking in this department this season, with key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent for most of the campaign. The recent £53 million signing, Xavi Simons, has also taken time to adapt to the Premier League and is now out with an injury.
This is where Maghnes Akliouche comes in. The young French midfielder has been on Tottenham's radar for some time, with the club initially interested in signing him last summer. However, they were put off by Monaco's asking price and eventually signed Simons instead. Akliouche was again linked with a move in the January transfer window, and now, with Monaco lowering their asking price, Tottenham may have the opportunity to sign him.
The French publication l'Equipe noted that Monaco's initial €70 million asking price was considered excessive, especially given Akliouche's development. However, his performances in the Champions League have changed this perception. Akliouche is now available for around £43 million, and Tottenham has shown interest by asking to be kept informed of his availability. With only two years left on his contract, this summer is the ideal time for Monaco to sell and maximize the fee for the player, who has seven goals and 11 assists this season.
However, Tottenham may need to act quickly. Liverpool is also interested in signing Akliouche, and his inclusion in the France squad for the 2026 World Cup could further increase his value. An impressive showing in the USA, Canada, and Mexico could lead to a higher price tag, making this a race against time for Tottenham to secure his signature.
In my opinion, this potential signing is an exciting prospect for Tottenham. Akliouche's creativity and potential could be a game-changer for the team, especially with the current lack of creativity in the squad. However, the competition from Liverpool adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can secure his services and whether his inclusion in the France squad will impact his value.