Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a busy January transfer window as they look to reset their season and push back toward the upper half of the Premier League table.
Even though the win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park brought some relief, Spurs still sit 11th at the halfway stage, which underlines just how much work remains.
Thomas Frank has inherited a squad with promise but also with clear gaps, and while the foundation laid by last season’s Europa League triumph still matters, progress now depends on smart decisions in the market.
The message from the club’s ownership is clear. Frank will be backed. Funds are available, and Tottenham are ready to move decisively if the right opportunities appear.
While the need for a new central midfielder has been discussed for months, recent developments suggest that changes out wide could happen first. The situation around Brennan Johnson has moved quickly, and Spurs already appear to be planning life without him.
Johnson has never truly settled into a consistent rhythm this season. His appearances have been patchy, and while his pace and directness are useful, his overall influence has been limited.
Aside from his unforgettable winning goal in last season’s Europa League final, moments of real impact have been rare. Football is ruthless, and yesterday’s hero can become today’s question mark very quickly. With Tottenham reportedly agreeing a deal in principle worth around £35 million for Johnson to move on, attention has turned to who might replace him.
That search has led Spurs to France, where AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche has caught the club’s eye. At 23 years old, Akliouche is entering the prime development phase of his career and has already become a key player for Monaco.
He came through their highly respected academy and has grown into a senior figure through consistency rather than hype. With a reported price tag of around £40 million, he also represents better value than some alternatives on the market, especially compared to higher-priced Premier League options.
What makes Akliouche appealing is not just his numbers, but the way he plays the game. He is comfortable out wide but equally effective drifting inside or operating from deeper areas. He plays with elegance, balance, and confidence on the ball.
This season alone, he has featured regularly across competitions, contributing goals and assists while also doing plenty of unseen work. His ability to recover loose balls, carry possession forward, and link play makes him far more than a touchline winger.
While statistics never tell the full story, they help highlight why Spurs see him as an upgrade in key areas. Akliouche is far more involved in build-up play, offers greater creativity, and helps his team control matches.
Johnson, by contrast, relies heavily on direct runs and finishing chances when they fall his way. That difference becomes clearer when their recent data is placed side by side.
| Metric (per 90) | Maghnes Akliouche | Brennan Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 0.16 | 0.39 |
| Assists | 0.30 | 0.04 |
| Shots taken | 2.25 | 1.08 |
| Shot-creating actions | 4.13 | 1.59 |
| Touches in attacking penalty area | 5.07 | 2.75 |
| Pass completion (%) | 82.9 | 67.4 |
| Progressive passes | 5.77 | 2.19 |
| Progressive carries | 3.81 | 1.98 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.53 | 0.73 |
| Ball recoveries | 4.89 | 2.62 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 2.31 | 1.72 |
The table shows a clear pattern. Johnson scores more often, but almost every other area favours Akliouche. Spurs have not lacked runners this season; what they have lacked is control, creativity, and players who can unlock compact defences.
Too often, attacks have broken down due to rushed decisions or a lack of imagination in the final third. Akliouche addresses those problems directly.
Scouts and analysts regularly praise his technique, especially his left foot, which is capable of delivering precise passes and clever through balls under pressure.
He is not obsessed with shooting at every opportunity, which might limit his goal tally, but it also makes him more unpredictable and more useful in structured attacks. For a Tottenham side that often struggles to create clear chances, that quality is vital.
Thomas Frank’s system values intelligent movement, technical security, and players who can adapt within matches. Akliouche fits that profile naturally.
He can stretch the pitch, drift into pockets of space, and help Spurs keep the ball higher up the field. In a team that has often looked rushed and disconnected, his calm presence could make an immediate difference.
Letting Johnson go makes sense in this context. He has strengths, but he has also become predictable, offering little beyond his one main threat. Tottenham need more variety, more control, and more ideas. Akliouche brings all three, along with room to grow and resale value in the future.
If Spurs manage to complete this deal, it would not just be a replacement, but a genuine upgrade. A player with flair, intelligence, and what many describe as “ridiculous” technical quality could be exactly what this Tottenham side needs to turn promise into consistency. Sometimes, the right fit matters more than the biggest name, and Akliouche looks like a player who could fit perfectly into Frank’s vision.
