Potentially exciting news if you like transfer rumor slop — according to multiple sources, Tottenham Hotspur is one of several clubs interested in a loan or purchase of Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel.
BILD (via SportWitness) reports that Tel, who has only made eight Bundesliga appearances for Bayern this season, has changed his mind and wants to leave the club in January, and Bayern is currently scrambling to find a new club for him. BILD also says he “doesn’t want to join Chelsea” (lol) because he sees the Blues as too congested at his position for reliable minutes.
Buddy, can I interest you in a club with 12 injured first team players?
We know already that Tel’s name came up in talks when Spurs were negotiating with Bayern for the sale of Harry Kane, so he’s a name that has been on Spurs’ radar for a while now. It’s not clear whether this would be an outright sale, a “dry” or a “wet” loan, or even if Spurs are actually interested. BILD notes that Manchester United and Arsenal are also clubs with an interest in bringing in Tel. Writing in the Telegraph (£), Matt Law seems to corroborate reports that Spurs are interested and open to talks, but only mentions Chelsea as an alternate option.
Sky Germany, meanwhile, write that United’s interest is precipitated on the club moving either Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford first, which... well. Marseille is also reportedly interested, which might interest a French striker looking for minutes. Even so, United being dumb would seem to provide an opening for Spurs to slip in with a bid. Arsenal’s rumored interest is a complicating factor, as they’re also looking for a front line option in this window after losing Bukayo Saka and Gabrial Jesus to injury.
Tel’s a player who can operate as either a wide or central forward, has decent statistics, and is only 19 years old. He’s not breaking through at Bayern right now but that doesn’t mean he’s not a good player or that he couldn’t do a job for Spurs. I’m extremely interested in Tel, though obviously this doesn’t mean a move is imminent or even likely. It’s been that kind of window.