(Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 22 August 2025 9:49, UK

Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche has been identified as a “cheaper alternative” to Savinho and Eberechi Eze for Tottenham Hotspur, sources have told Football Insider.

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Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Spurs’ continued pursuit of a new playmaker.

Tottenham are yet to fill the attacking midfield gap left by James Maddison and turned their attention to Eze after his ACL injury, only for arch-rivals Arsenal to hijack their move for the Crystal Palace number 10.

Manchester City are also demanding £70million for Savinho after Tottenham saw two bids rejected for the Brazilian, and sources have told Football Insider that Spurs have turned their attention elsewhere.

Spurs’ most recent bid for Savinho totalled £60m and they had also agreed a similar fee with Palace, but Football Insider sources have said that Monaco‘s Akliouche would come with a far cheaper price tag.

Arsenal look set to beat Tottenham to Eberechi Eze’s signature (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Football Insider revealed back in October 2024 that Newcastle’s director of football Paul Mitchell had set his sights on Akliouche, but his departure has left the coast clear for Tottenham to seal his signing.

Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke revealed that Akliouche has been identified as an alternative to Savinho in particular by Spurs, with Man City unlikely to renege on their current stance.

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“[Tottenham] have shown interest in Savinho at Manchester City, but City have rebuffed their interest so far, saying they don’t want to lose Savinho”, he told Football Insider.

“They’re trying to price the Brazilian out of a move, so Tottenham are looking at potential alternatives to him.

“The one that seems to be catching their eye at the minute is Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche, a 23-year-old who is a very talented young player, and would be a cheaper alternative to Savinho as well.”

Spurs’ attempts to sign Savinho have been unsuccessful so far (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Arsenal’s last-ditch hijack of Tottenham’s deal to sign Eze – a deal which had been in the works for 10 straight days – is the latest of several setbacks which have mired the Lilywhites in this summer’s window.

Thomas Frank will be hoping that Akliouche is the player to finally end Spurs’ search for a playmaking option out wide, after their trio of unsuccessful attempts to sign Savinho, Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White.

A potential hijack of their own for Chelsea target Xavi Simons could be on the cards at Tottenham, but given their luck so far this summer, Frank may be advised to pursue an unopposed deal for Akliouche instead.
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