James Maddison has shared his honest take on whether he would pay £45m for Mathys Tel, and his response says a lot about how the Frenchman is viewed at Tottenham.
Convincing Mathys Tel to join Tottenham Hotspur on winter deadline day was not a straightforward task.
Ange Postecoglou had a conversation with Tel before the young forward could make the switch from Bayern Munich to Tottenham, after the forward rejected Levy’s approach.
The Frenchman has since been settling into life in north London, featuring 14 times and scoring 3 goals; however, his long-term future remains unclear.
Reports suggest that Tottenham are not keen on paying the full option-to-buy clause for Tel this summer, and are instead aiming to negotiate a lower figure than the £45 million initially agreed with Bayern Munich.
James Maddison gives his verdict on £45m Mathys Tel deal at Tottenham
While Tel’s numbers have not exactly been groundbreaking, there is no doubt that the forward has displayed flashes of real quality and promise.
With Heung-min Son currently injured, Tel has been the one occupying that left-wing spot at N17, and he has impressed in that role.
MORE SPURS STORIES
Ahead of a big clash against Bodo/Glimt, James Maddison was asked whether he would personally pay £45 million for Mathys Tel.
The midfielder joked that he does not have that kind of money, but praised Tel for the impact he has made since breaking into the side.
He told football.london: “I have not got £45m! Mathys has been very good since he has come in. Very direct player. I think he has done well.
“He has not played a lot but he has come into the team recently. I am there on the left and we have been developing more of a relationship there.
“Obviously I know what Sonny is going to do there and it is about learning.”
Tel must prove he can replace Heung-min Son at Spurs
Heung-min Son has once again been ruled out, meaning he will not be involved on Thursday when Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt.
Mathys Tel is undoubtedly on trial at Spurs and will need to deliver performances that convince the club he is worth the £45 million outlay.
There is competition for that left-wing spot, with Richarlison and Wilson Odobert options to come into the side, but we expect Tel to start against Glimt.