The future of 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel is increasingly centred on a potential transfer to either Tottenham Hotspur or Aston Villa, as both clubs express growing confidence in securing his signature. This comes despite interest from other Premier League heavyweights, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. With the January transfer window drawing to a close, Tel is anticipated to depart Bayern Munich, where he has made only four appearances this season.
Tottenham currently appears to be at the forefront of the race for the French Under-21 international. Reports suggest that the North London club has reached a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich for a fee of £50 million. Spurs are eager to offer Tel more playing time, particularly in light of the injury challenges that have plagued manager Ange Postecoglou’s squad this season. This opportunity could prove crucial for Tel as he aims to establish himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
While Tel has not publicly disclosed his intentions regarding a move to Tottenham, the club's proactive stance has reportedly led Saudi Arabian clubs, notably Al-Ahli, to withdraw from negotiations. According to Sky Germany, Al-Ahli had shown interest in acquiring the promising talent but now appears resigned to the likelihood of him joining either Spurs or Aston Villa.
In a further development, Tottenham's pursuit of Tel has intensified, with journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that chairman Daniel Levy has travelled to Munich for discussions with the player and his representatives. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, buoyed by the £64 million sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr, finds itself in a robust financial position. Despite ongoing speculation regarding the future of Ollie Watkins, who has attracted interest from Arsenal, manager Unai Emery has firmly stated that Watkins will not be leaving this month. Nevertheless, Villa is likely to seek reinforcements in their attacking options following Duran's departure, making Tel an appealing target.
Manchester United has also expressed interest, contemplating a loan deal for Tel. Discussions have taken place between the club and the player's camp, although any potential transfer would require further departures from Old Trafford. Reports indicate that Marcus Rashford is available for transfer, while Chelsea and Napoli are monitoring Alejandro Garnacho's situation.
Chelsea remains another contender for Tel’s signature, but recent reports suggest that he is hesitant to join the club due to the intense competition for places in their attacking line-up. Meanwhile, Arsenal has yet to make a formal approach, although they are in urgent need of additional attacking options as the season progresses.
As the transfer window nears its conclusion, the competition for Mathys Tel's signature is intensifying, with multiple clubs keenly vying for the talented forward. The coming days will be crucial in determining where Tel will continue his burgeoning career.