Tottenham forward is planning to leave the club this summer amid European interest.
Tottenham Hotspur have shown signs of changing their operating nature in the transfer market.
There is still time for the summer transfer window to commence, but Spurs have already lined up deals for potential free agents Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. They are also in talks with Manchester City for winger Savinho, while their first bid for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke was rejected on Thursday afternoon.
This is enough evidence to suggest that the Lilywhites are displaying proactiveness in the transfer market and trying to wrap up deals for major summer targets as early as possible. Simultaneously, they have to sort out the futures of several existing players in the squad.
Skipper Cristian Romero continues to be linked with an exit from White Hart Lane, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has lately emerged on the radar of Juventus. A decision on Joao Palhinha’s future needs to be made as well. Now, there is another name that could leave the club in the coming months.
FC Porto set sights on signing Mathys Tel
Mathys Tel endured a stop-start first full season in North London, delivering four goals and an assist in the Premier League. Initially, due to a host of options in attack, former boss Thomas Frank did not include the youngster in Tottenham’s Champions League squad. As injuries started creeping in, he was added back to the squad for the Champions League knockout rounds.
The chopping and changing of managers led to instability at the club, hampering Mathys Tel’s progress. It was not until Roberto De Zerbi was appointed during the March international break that the Frenchman got a run of games under his belt. Yet, it looks like the versatile forward wants to leave Tottenham.
According to Portuguese journalist Joao Van Boysen on X, FC Porto is considering a move for Tel. The France Under-21 international wants to leave Spurs this summer, and FC Porto has emerged as the frontrunners. LOSC Lille, Bournemouth and Eintracht Frankfurt have also recently enquired about the 21-year-old, who could depart on loan with an option to buy.
De Zerbi must do everything possible to keep hold of Tel
Tel’s frustrations over the lack of regular minutes this past season is totally valid. He suffered with a lack of regularity and trust from coaches Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, but since De Zerbi walked into the club, the Sarcelles-born talent managed to show glimpses of his potential.
The Italian tactician started him in each of the final four matches, with Tel most notably scoring a worldie in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at home. It turned out to be a vital point against Leeds as it helped the Lilywhites secure their top-flight status on the final day of the season.
De Zerbi had praised Tel for showing character to bounce back from his mistake against Leeds that led to the equaliser. The 46-year-old proved an excellent man-manager for the French trickster, whose self-esteem was low before De Zerbi took the reins at Tottenham.