Mathys Tel has had a topsy-turvy last few months at Tottenham.
He was signed permanently from Bayern Munich in the summer. Soon after, he was excluded from the Champions League squad.
Tel has scored two Premier League goals, including a key strike against Manchester United. With Randal Kolo Muani injured, he’s likely to get more game time at Tottenham.
That, however, hasn’t stopped the Italian media.
Gazzetta dello Sport cover AS Roma’s interest in the Frenchman today.
The Italian newspaper reports the 20-year-old is ‘unhappy in London’ and keen on leaving Tottenham in January.
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has the youngster at the top of his shortlist. He sees Tel as someone who can be improved quite a bit and who has the right profile to improve Roma’s attack.
Tottenham thought to be open to loan deal
There’s belief that a loan deal could be possible since Tottenham paid €35m to sign him some months ago and don’t want a sale. The newspaper are somewhat optimistic that Thomas Frank’s side will sanction a temporary exit.
Of course, that optimism could be wildly misplaced.
The report fails to take context into account, though. Kolo Muani is now out injured and so is Dominic Solanke. Richarlison has not made a big impact this season either.
Tottenham need goals and Tel could supply them. So perhaps, Roma’s interest in the player is built on false assumptions fuelled by that relentless Italian optimism.