Sources: Tottenham turn attention to ‘top player’ who’s wowed in Champions League
Tottenham are continuing to explore a move for AS Monaco starlet Maghnes Akliouche as they aim to add more flair and attacking quality to their squad.
The 23-year-old playmaker scored his first goal for the senior France team last week, while he has registered three goals and assists each in 15 appearances for AS Monaco so far this season.
Tottenham were first mooted with interest in Maghnes Akliouche in August off the back of a campaign in which he notched seven goals and 12 assists in 43 games across all competitions.
Football Insider recently revealed that Tottenham want to accelerate a move for Akliouche as Thomas Frank targets fresh blood in the January window.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, they remain interested in the 23-year-old ahead of the new year.
Maghnes Akliouche is still on Spurs’ radar
Football Insider also revealed back in August that Monaco would accept an offer of over £47 million for Akliouche, but it is unclear as to whether that figure has risen in the last three months.
The Frenchman faced Spurs in the Champions League last month and was Monaco’s best player on the night, and the North London outfit are still interested in his services as January beckons.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I’m sure he’s on that radar for Tottenham, he was on the radar in the summer so they will continue to keep tabs on him.
“I was surprised that no top club did make a move for Akliouche in the summer window. He’s a real top player who had a very good season for Monaco last year and he’s started this season in good form as well.
“He also impressed against Spurs in that Champions League meeting between the two sides this season as well so it just showed what he can do against top opposition.”
Tottenham want to keep Mathys Tel despite Roma interest
Tottenham are only looking to add to their squad in January rather than weaken it by letting go of any first-team stars.
Mathys Tel was not named in their Champions League squad for this season due to the options available to Frank, but he has impressed in the Premier League with key goals against Leeds and Man United.
Serie A giants Roma are known to be interested in his services, but Football Insider have revealed that Tottenham are reluctant to let Tel leave in January.
That notion could change if Akliouche is signed for a big fee to add more depth in attacking positions, but it remains to be seen what decision Tottenham will make on both players.