Football.London

After rejecting the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur this January, Mathys Tel finds himself omitted from Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich matchday squad.

The door was opened to Tottenham and other rivals by the 19-year-old talent himself, who last week informed Bayern officials of his intention to make a mid-season departure.

They made and had their loan-to-buy accepted before anyone else could act. Chairman Daniel Levy even flew to Munich to wrap up the deal, though after a face-to-face meeting Tel made his final decision to reject the approach.

Now with roughly two-and-a-half days remaining to ensure a move goes through no time can be wasted and that is why the attacker has been left out entirely from Bayern's Bundesliga clash with Holstein Kiel this Saturday afternoon.

Multiple sources state that Tel and his current club are assessing all the available options to resolve his future, which won't be with Tottenham following Friday's twist.

Sky Sports and their reporters in Germany have claimed the Frenchman has received his first verbal offer from Man United, which is 'under review'. In fact, BILD have gone as far to claim that they are his current preference.

However, this may not necessarily align with Bayern's wishes of a financial package matching that which Tottenham offered, and therefore friction could arise between club and player.

Aston Villa are said to be their 'concrete' challengers, which is especially interesting with our colleagues at the Manchester Evening News reporting Villa are closing in on a loan agreement for Marcus Rashford in another shocking turn.

football.london had first reported in January that Chelsea had made contact in an attempt to land the player, who has long been in their sights.

They followed up a summer 2024 enquiry to ask if Tel would be available to sign this winter, and did not include Christopher Nkunku in negotiations as part of a swap deal.

Tottenham are back in action on Sunday with a Premier League visit to Brentford with Ange Postecoglou needing his players to put in a positive performance.

Spurs won 3-0 in midweek in the Europa League against Elfsborg to advance straight to the round of 16 but the injury-ravaged Lilywhites need to start fixing their dreadful Premier League run of results. A trip to Brentford has been a tough prospect for most teams this season and Tottenham will need to pull something special out of the bag if they are to come away in high spirits.

We asked our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold and head of football.london Lee Wilmot to name the starting XI they would both pick to face Thomas Frank's side on Sunday afternoon. Here's what they went with:

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham Hotspur correspondent

It was the youngsters who ended up making it a memorable night on Thursday with Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore all scoring their first goals for the club. The one with the best chance of starting on Sunday would be Moore, but the 17-year-old did admit that he was struggling with cramp during his goal celebrations and was happy to hear the final whistle.

Postecoglou gave Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Son Heung-min and the returning Micky van de Ven 45 minutes each which should at least bring some slightly fresher legs to the table for a change. Djed Spence is also expected to be available after injury.

The question for Postecoglou is whether Van de Ven starts with a fellow left-footer in Ben Davies or midfielder Archie Gray continues his stint as a centre-back with Radu Dragusin's new knee injury to ensure better balance. Davies can then come on for Van de Ven who Postecoglou said will not last the full match.

The Welshman could also play at left-back as there could be a temptation to hand Pedro Porro a rest with Spence replacing him.

Pape Matar Sarr has been carrying an injury and limped off the pitch at half-time despite playing the full game and he could be handed a rest this time.

Gold's team: Kinsky; Porro, Gray, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son.

Lee Wilmot - Head of football.london

I would like to say things look slightly better on the injury front with Micky van de Ven's return, but it's one in and one out. Radu Dragusin is now not available this weekend, meaning Van de Ven could be called upon to play the full 90 minutes.

Antonin Kinsky starts in goal for me with Pedro Porro, Archie Gray and Djed Spence making up the rest of the backline. Ben Davies is in reserve in case Van de Ven can't do the full 90.

Ahead of them I'd like to see Yves Bissouma alongside Rodrigo Bentancur - we can give Lucas Bergvall a bit of a rest here - with Dejan Kulusevski in the number ten role.

That leaves a space on the right for Mikey Moore to take after a good first half and fine goal against Elfsborg on Thursday. He should be on cloud nine. Son Heung-min starts on the other side, have played an excellent 45 minutes before getting a well-deserved rest and Richarlison up top.

Wilmot's team: Kinsky; Porro, Gray, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Moore, Richarlison, Son.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Ange Postecoglou believes there is plenty to convince other new signings to join Tottenham in the final days of the January transfer window after Mathys Tel turned down the club.

Spurs have failed so far this month to sign any outfield players despite the desperate need for weeks for extra numbers during the injury crisis that has left the squad with double figures in missing players most matches. In recent days Tottenham held talks with Bayern Munich over the potential signing of 19-year-old winger Mathys Tel only for the teenager to turn down a move, despite chairman Daniel Levy reportedly flying to Germany to help with talks.

Postecoglou also told football.london that Spurs will look to sign a centre-back if Radu Dragusin's knee injury looks to be a bad one. AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori is one defender the north London side have explored as a potential new arrival.

With Spurs in 15th place in the Premier League and speaking before the news that Tel had rejected the north London club, Postecoglou was asked whether it was tough to persuade players to join the club at this point.

"It depends what the players are looking for," said the Australian. "You can look at it two ways, ok the league form is not great but there’s some pretty big possibilities to have success here in the last three or four months.

"It’s still a big club, it’s still a club that can challenge for honours and it’s whether the player sees the potential that we see right now, or certainly that I see. If it’s too much of a hard sell it’s probably not the right one for us."

He added: "You need a bit of discipline. The one thing I don’t want to do is bring somebody in who is just going to be another body. I don’t think that serves any purpose knowing what we’ve got coming in [back].

"That aside, there is definitely a need for us and has been a need, that’s why we’ve been looking for a player or two to help us with what’s ahead. But they have to be the right types and fit in with what we’re doing. I guess that’s the tricky bit. There are plenty of players available but are they going to be the right ones, that’s the question for us."

Other than Dominic Solanke, Tottenham have signed a string of teenagers this season and Postecoglou has had to rely on youngsters like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to play far more minutes and matches that he would have liked to in their first season at the club.

"It’s a balancing act of where we’re at and what we need right now but we’re still in the building process," said the 59-year-old. "It’s the reason we signed Dom at the start of the year. We felt we needed some experience. Look at the guys who are out, certainly getting Madders, Vicario and Romero back will help in that seniority.

"It’s always a balancing act of what we need right now but never losing sight of what we’re trying to build. A lot of that depends on the development of the young players too. If they develop really quickly you don’t want to close that door for them too. If Archie or Lucas are becoming top players I wouldn’t want to block their pathway to becoming real important players for us. You have to judge it as you go along."

Postecoglou told football.london earlier on Friday that all of his previously injured players are expected back in the next seven to 10 days, with Solanke a week behind them, and he sees that period next month as being a bit of a reset for their season.

"If you look at our schedule, which is why it was important last night [to beat Elfsborg], we’ve obviously got a big week but we play Villa in the cup and then we’ve got a clean week to Man United and that’s the week all of them are sort of scheduled to start training," he said.

"So if we get a full week of training, because at the moment we’re hardly training, seriously me or you could join in with the training we’re doing. To have a full week of training with those guys available leading into the Man United game, I think it is a little bit of a point for us to relaunch our campaign, particularly in the league, but then we have real big games of consequence in the cups coming around as well."

When it comes to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, the Italy international is almost available for selection and ahead of schedule after recovering from his fractured ankle.

"He’s training now with [Rob] Burchy and the keepers, that’s the first good sign. It will come down to when he feels comfortable," said the Spurs head coach. "The type of injury he had was not a muscle injury so it’s just a matter of if he can do all the actions he needs to do, goalkeepers are obviously a different position to other players. With him, over the next week or 10 days I’d expect him to be available."

The Tottenham fans have been calling for chairman Daniel Levy's exit in recent matches more vociferously than ever and Postecoglou was asked about that and whether he feels any responsibility with Spurs' poor form.

"It’s a bit harsh to say I’m responsible. It’s not like I’m in the middle of it sort of starting the chant!" he said. "Look, I said last week I’ve always felt when you are trying to build something successful, you need to be united in that.

"I think I said last week I have probably failed in trying to unify the club in that way and part of that is just because of the form we are in in the league, which allows peoples’ minds to go away from the here and now.

"I thought the crowd were good last night. They understood we had a young squad out there and they got genuinely excited towards the end of the game seeing the young boys. That’s what we’re trying to tap into because we’re going to need the support in this last phase of the season to hopefully create something special.

"But I have often said I can’t sit here and dictate to people what they should or shouldn’t do. My role is to try to create an environment where we are unified and we have to be unified – particularly when you go through tough times, the last thing you want is splintering in our mindset and focus."

The perception among sections of the Tottenham fanbase is that Levy does not back his managers to the hilt or in key moments in the transfer market.

"Perceptions... What I deal with is reality. I've said from the start of the window, we're obviously really short. We're looking to try to help this group of players and the club is doing all it can to try to rectify that," said Postecoglou.

"I can't delve too deeply into that because I'd be sort of going into that world of looking for blame or looking to apportion responsibility to other people when I keep saying that we have to be unified through this. We have to be, otherwise when you're going through a tough period, as we are at the moment, you'll never get out of it.

"So I always take things at face value. You have trust within the group that everyone is doing what they can to try to help, because they're not helping me, they're helping the club. I know you say support the manager but ultimately it's the club. As we know, managers come and go. It's about what's best for the football club, that's always got to be the primary motivation for everyone involved."

Postecoglou was asked whether he's frustrated to not be more involved in the transfer process this time around. In his first summer at Spurs, he was heavily involved in the recruitment when there was no sporting director in place.

"It just depends. At different clubs, it's been different. At other clubs I've been more involved in that side of it," he said. "I've always tried to stay disciplined by not getting frustrated by things that are out of my control.

"All I can do is have faith and trust in the people who are in charge of those areas. My responsibility lies in the things I can control. Right now, there are obviously three days left of the window, and I've got to make sure all my energies are on the players who are going to play against Brentford."

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Daniel Levy has reportedly taken matters into his own hands in the race to sign Mathys Tel. The 19-year-old forward has been heavily linked with numerous Premier League clubs this month after failing to force himself into the Bayern Munich starting lineup.

Tel, who sees his contract at the Allianz Arena expire in June 2029, has only featured eight times in the Bundesliga this season, starting just twice. Despite playing less than 300 minutes for Vincent Kompany's side in the German top flight, the France Under-21 international has managed to court interest from several top teams – including Tottenham Hotspur.

In fact, on Friday morning, Bayern Munich confirmed that they've reached a verbal agreement with the Lilywhites for the transfer of Tel. The Bavarians' director revealed that more talks will be held in the 'coming days and hours', refusing to detail the specifics of the deal.

Max Eberl said: "It’s about generating transfer revenue. Mathys is an incredibly sought-after player. Whether it will be a loan or a sale, we will discuss it in the coming days and hours."

A few hours after the Bayern chief's admission, Levy landed in Munich to accelerate talks for Tel, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report states the Tottenham chairman has held face-to-face talks with the Frenchman, eager to win the race for his signature.

In the meeting, Romano claims Tel told Levy that he doesn't want to join Spurs, blowing the door wide open for Premier League rivals to make a move. Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of Tottenham's clash against Brentford this weekend, Postecoglou admitted he didn't have much information on the pursuit.

"Not a great deal," said Postecoglou, when asked if he'd heard much about Tel's potential transfer. "I usually find out at the tail end of this stuff. We're exploring opportunities at the tail end of this window."

Ahead of Bayern's match against Holstein Kiel, the first question in Kompany's pre-match press conference was about Tel. The former Manchester City captain said: "The most important thing is that Mathys is still a Bayern player. Every player is fully available until the last moment. My role is as always: to use the players who are available."

Beside him, Eberl added: "Mathys is still a Bayern player. Accordingly, if he's there tomorrow, he will hopefully be looking to score goals. That remains the case at the moment. There's no new situation."

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Tottenham will be looking to sign another player in addition to Mathys Tel before the January transfer window closes - but there is a condition.

Spurs have brought in one player so far in January, despite having had an awful run of injuries stretching back to November. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky arrived just in time to make his debut in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, with the Czech star keeping a clean sheet against the Premier League leaders.

Despite the lack of incoming deals, Spurs are looking to bring in more players before the end of Monday's deadline, with Postecoglou admitting in his press conference that he doesn't have too much information on the pursuit of Bayern Munich youngster Tel.

"Not a great deal," Postecoglou responded when asked if he'd heard much about a transfer. "I usually find out at the tail end of this stuff. We're exploring opportunities at the tail end of this window."

However, the Spurs boss has intimated that the club will make a move for another player if an injury for Radu Dragusin is significant. The centre-back went off during the Europa League win over Elfsborg with a knee problem, and there is no update yet on his status.

"Still not sure," Postecoglou said about the injury. "We'll let it settle down and get more information over the weekend. He's obviously not available for this weekend.

"In terms of others, Djed Spence should be available for the weekend, Sergio Reguilon should be ok."

They are all kind of around the same time, around 10 days time. We are talking about Vicario, Johnson, Destiny, Wilson, Timo. Romero is a bit of a tricky one. We are not really sure yet. There is still some work he needs to do. Certainly all those guys, I think of the long term ones apart from Dom (Solanke) who is probably a week behind them, the rest of them are slated to be back in the next week to 10 days to be available.

[With Romero] it’s just a slower healer with him and it is one we are looking at on a week to week basis. Again, he has been out for quite a while. Like with all the other long term ones, we are just taking our time.

Still not sure, we'll let it settle down and get more information over the weekend. He's obviously not available for this weekend.

In terms of others, Djed Spence should be available for the weekend, Sergio Reguilon should be ok.

That fairy-tale ending was not in the original script. What seemed like a night that was stuck on pause and brought yet another injury suddenly turned into something more magical under the lights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It's a special moment to see a young player score their first goal for the club. To witness two do it is remarkable but for three youngsters to open their account in the same match was something that those starlets and the Tottenham fans among the 57,337-strong crowd will remember for a long, long time.

With each passing goal from the academy products so Ange Postecoglou's grin grew wider and wider. Spurs' long line of injured senior players sat on the bench all got to their feet and applauded while the fans sang their new young heroes' names.

At the final whistle, captain Son Heung-min went up to Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore and gave them a bear hug. The 17-year-old sank into his skipper's arms for a while, the emotions of the evening for someone so young perhaps hitting home.

For all three of the academy products to score in front of that big 17,500-seater south stand was entirely fitting.

First 20-year-old Scarlett leapt forward to head home Dejan Kulusevski's inswinging cross, then Ajayi came on for his debut and within minutes the 19-year-old winger drove inside from the right wing, interchanged passes with Scarlett before drilling a low shot inside the right-hand post.

Then Moore placed the cherry on top of the academy cake with a run from midway into the Elfsborg half before jinking inside two defenders and hitting a sweet low shot across the goalkeeper and inside the left-hand upright.

All three academy products enjoyed their celebrations in front of the big stand, living out the dream they would have played over and over in their head as children. Technically Moore still is a child.

So many people have been involved in their journey to this point. Their families and youth coaches like Wayne Burnett at U21 level and Stuart Lewis with the U18s, not to mention the assistant coaches, support staff and everyone who has helped them with fitness, diet, transportation and anyone who played their part along their path.

A debut for an academy product is celebrated as a huge win for everybody inside a club's academy. To have three players all score on the one evening, in a European night under the lights, is something that will be savoured now and probably will only truly be soaked in when this season comes to an end.

"It was Made in Tottenham tonight," Postecoglou told football.london. "It’s brilliant for the club and I’m sure there are academy coaches and players who won’t sleep tonight because they are pretty excited.

"We have got a big week coming up and we have got to try to manage the load of our players and try to protect them. We kind of knew we would have to rely on some young players tonight, and all the way through this campaign to be honest.

"I thought they stood up really well. The whole group played well but we were going to need some young boys to make an impact and not just the three goalscorers. We had a couple of 18-year-olds in there as well who continue to drive us on. So it is a great night for the club and something the whole academy should be proud of."

He added: "It’s great but I think it's a much prouder moment for the club itself. That's what academies are for. That's what those three boys and others who have played for us and were probably on the terraces at one time so our fans can relate to that.

"We're in a tough spot in the league obviously but I think that will be hugely enjoyable for everyone, just the fact that three young boys, three Tottenham lads have scored on a European night. I think it's just great for the club. My mind is now on Sunday and trying to make sure we get our league form back to where it should be."

The rest of Thursday night's match was mostly unremarkable as Tottenham finished fourth in the big Europa League table and will now face either Real Sociedad, Midtjylland or, once again, Galatasaray or AZ.

Postecoglou tried to give a couple of players a rest, Brandon Austin recorded his first competitive clean sheet as Elfsborg sat deep, were difficult to break down. They were indebted to their goalkeeper Isak Pettersson with Son Heung-min running riot down the left with his dribbling and Spurs of course picked up another injury.

The rule at Tottenham is that one must not get a player back to full health without losing someone else, usually in the same position.

This time it was Radu Dragusin competing for a ball that looked like it had already gone out of play a couple of seconds before, with Postecoglou signalling for a Spurs throw.

Instead in the vein of the freakish nature of recent Tottenham injuries, the Romanian used his strength to get to the ball and then his right foot planted awkwardly and jarred his knee. The 22-year-old initially looked ready to come back on and did a couple of jumps on the touchline to check with the physio only to suddenly feel the pain again and that was his night over.

football.london understands that Dragusin hyperextended his knee during the initial awkward landing and tests will now discover whether anything damaging has occurred inside the joint.

Micky van de Ven hyperextended his knee earlier this season but managed to play on after initial pain and did not suffer anything serious, but those tests will explore if Dragusin will enjoy similar fortune or not.

Even Postecoglou feigned a hamstring injury later in the evening when chasing a ball, holding the back of his leg and grinning, as he could only laugh at the ridiculous situation.

"I nearly did my hamstring mate, did you see that?" he joked afterwards. "To be fair, if I do it doesn't really matter. But yeah you've still got to enjoy it. It was a great night for the club, it was a great story to tell. There aren't many European nights when three homegrown products get on the scoresheet."

It came on an evening when Van de Ven returned to the fold and gave everyone a lift, playing just 45 minutes this time rather than overplaying as he did against Chelsea when he reinjured himself. The Dutchman gave a big grin as he walked back out in front of the crowd and posted on social media afterwards that "words can't describe how happy I am to be back".

"The three [substitutions] at half-time were all planned, all three are OK. We've got a big week coming up and just trying to manage our players. They've given everything they possibly can," said Postecoglou.

"Unfortunately Radu's hurt his knee now. I don't have any further information but it didn't look good as he was coming off so we'll just have to wait and see but it's disappointing. Micky got through it fine, it was always going to be 45 and he felt fine.

"He's a quality player. You could see already he's got a presence out there. With the injured guys, we've got quite a few that are long-termers, and they just want to help so they're coming in with really positive energy which helps the other boys.

"Hopefully over the next two weeks we get some more bodies back which will certainly help us inject some energy into the group."

When it came to energy there was a little too much from Lucas Bergvall, who was being taunted by the travelling Elfsborg fans from his homeland. He was trying too hard, playing showy, Hollywood passes that didn't reach their target and frustrated Postecoglou.

The Australian called to him a few times and motioned with his hands to calm down. Words were no doubt said at half-time as well and eventually the 18-year-old Swede settled into the rhythm of the game and ignored the taunts from the away section.

After the final whistle, Postecoglou sought out Bergvall and had a long chat and hug with the teenager, who once again gave everything to the cause in a 94 minute showing and looked shattered once again at the final whistle. He also seemed to be holding his groin with a wince at one point.

Bergvall and Archie Gray yet again had stepped into the breach for Tottenham, the latter filling in once more as a centre-back. He played on the right of Van de Ven to help with the shape, with Ben Davies as the left-back.

It will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday at Brentford if Dragusin's injury is enough to keep him out. For playing two left-footers in Van de Ven and Davies together in the centre of defence might be awkward, which could mean Gray filling in once again.

Thursday night though was all about the three academy products who left everyone buzzing.

For Dane Scarlett, this was a moment just over four years in the making. It was in this competition when he made history as the youngest player to appear in a competitive game for Tottenham, coming off the bench as a 16-year-old against Ludogorets in November 2020, before Alfie Devine beat that record a couple of months later.

Later that season Scarlett would become the youngest player since Kylian Mbappe to register an assist in the Europa League when he teed up Carlos Vinicius to score against Wolfsberger.

He got plenty of praise from the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte over the coming seasons, but for one reason or another, loan moves to Portsmouth, Ipswich and Oxford didn't really bring the game time required despite little glimpses of what he can become.

With his first and last loans, managerial changes at struggling clubs did his cause no good while coming into a settled flying team at Ipswich had the opposite effect as there was little opportunity for him to break in.

When Spurs brought him back from Oxford this month, the original plan was to send him straight out on loan and he was not included in the initial Tottenham match squads. That's because for him to step on to the pitch for the club would mean playing for two sides this season and the rules state you cannot turn out for three in one campaign.

This week though Postecoglou made the decision to keep Scarlett around and allow Will Lankshear instead to head out on loan, both players getting half a season each in the first team set-up - and now both scoring.

"We had a look at his situation," Postecoglou told football.london of Scarlett. "He has had a couple of disappointing loans. I think sending him out again without any sort of real prospect of him developing, we just felt let’s keep him training with us and give him an opportunity to train with us and play with us and see how it goes."

Postecoglou admitted in his club interview that Scarlett did not return in the best condition from Oxford and has been working hard to get into the shape he needs to be for Tottenham's brand of football.

The 20-year-old is popular around the club and among his team-mates and there was clear delight for him when he rose to head home Kulusevski's cross before teeing up Ajayi for his own magic moment.

"I think they have to listen as young players, but the important thing is they come and give everything they can," said Kulusevski after the game before singling out the striker.

"They changed the game and I love Dane Scarlett a lot. I think he is a great player and I believe he will help us these months. It was a great goal so I’m very happy for him. Also the other players that scored, they have to give the energy now. We have a lot of injuries and they did an amazing job today."

Everyone believes in Scarlett at Tottenham and Mourinho once made it clear that he believed he would become an England player sooner rather than later.

The young striker has been making his mark with England U21s this season during a purple patch for Oxford and his country.

Now he has made his mark for Tottenham and it's down to him to realise all of the potential the top coaches and managers have spoken about. The key for the club is to develop him rather than rely on him and they still need to sign another attacker at least.

For Lankshear, the 19-year-old striker is set to head out on loan now. football.london understands that Burnley, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Cardiff and Luton are among those interested.

Clubs from abroad have also shown their interest, but Spurs are keen to get him playing in the Championship to continue to improve his development in a fast and physical league.

Scarlett and Lankshear have been on the scene for a little while now, but for Damola Ajayi, who became the 893rd player to appear in a Tottenham shirt, he has somewhat appeared from nowhere for those who prefer to keep a closer eye on the first team.

However, it's all come through hard work over recent seasons. The 19-year-old winger signed a new contract four weeks ago and this debut and goal, complete with surging run and fine finish, topped off a huge month in his career perfectly.

Ajayi has been growing in confidence through the U18s in recent seasons before enjoying a big 2023/24 campaign for Stuart Lewis' side with 24 goal involvements in 30 matches (16 goals and eight assists).

That brought a move up to Wayne Burnett's U21s this season at a tough time when many of the senior U21 players have left or headed out on loan.

The adaptation has duly taken a little while with three goals and one assist in 15 matches for them but he stepped up to a far bigger level and grabbed his chance for the first team on Thursday night, having been on the bench in the Premier League in the past couple of games.

Despite Brennan Johnson nearing a return, Ajayi has at least given himself a chance to be considered now late in games against tired defences with his confidence and direct play over the remaining months of the season.

His delight in not only his celebration but also his post-match interviews was clear to see as the teenager looked back at photos of him in the aftermath of the goal, marvelling at the fact that he was on the pitch with players like Kulusevski and Pedro Porro, let alone scoring on it.

It was left to Mikey Moore to put the seal on the night with the kind of goal that the 17-year-old has scored on countless occasions for the U18s in the past couple of seasons as he prefers those runs through the centre of the pitch.

The youngster had started the game well, gone through a sticky spell in the middle before finishing in style, later admitting that he cramped up in the celebrations after the run so was glad for the final whistle before the restart.

In that moment Moore had become the youngest English goalscorer in major European competition history, beating Jimmy Greaves by 73 days.

"I think [that goal will have a big impact on him]. I think he started the game really well but he had a bit of a struggle after that," said Postecoglou "But he’s 17 and that’s just part of his growth. Getting a goal will I'm sure give him confidence. He’s been good for us in this tournament and in the early part of it he was a big part of what we were doing.

"He’s 17 and if he keeps developing and we nurse him along and protect him along the way, he's got all the attributes to be an outstanding talent for us. He’ll remember tonight which is great. Scoring a goal at home and in Europe is great for him, but he knows he's still got a lot of work to do and we're going to help him."

It's noticeable just how confident Moore is on and off the pitch with life at this level. The three post-match club interviews with all the goalscorers were heartening to watch, with their clear delight, but it is the 17-year-old who is the most laid-back and assured of the lot in front of the cameras.

There's a touch of James Maddison about the way he casually talks and it's no coincidence, with the vice-captain looking to help the teenager this season on the training pitches with advice.

On such a big night for the academy, Postecoglou was asked whether the academy could be a way to get through the current problems.

"I don’t even know if we’ve got any more mate. I don’t know of many teams that are finishing European games like us with five or six teenagers on the field. It's a challenge for us, but credit to the lads. They’re just cracking on with it and the young boys are taking their opportunities," he said.

"They'll all bear fruit in time. This exposure we've given them, the growth they've made, I'm sure they’ll all be encouraged and I think the rest of the academy will too, the young players in there, because they've seen the players they're sharing a dressing room with scoring for Tottenham on a European night. I'm sure it'll give a boost to the whole place."

Postecoglou will be excited for the three youngsters but also wary that Tottenham must still bring in whatever transfer help they can for the squad in the remaining four days of the window.

He was asked if he was worried that Spurs might use this as an excuse to close the chequebook and the head coach laughed.

"Ha, no. I keep saying, it has been and still is a tough period in terms of our league form but there has been real growth, I believe. And it will all come to fruition at a point, I'm just so certain and bullish about that," he said. "The young players, the growth in our whole group is going to be enormous. It will be a fruit, I've got no doubt about that. Right now it's about trying to address the issues we've got at hand."

There is of course a certain irony that a number of the players that Tottenham are looking at in the transfer window continue to be teenagers, even if that's the policy that has played its part in worsening this situation with so few senior stars for Postecoglou to turn to.

The teenagers being looked at least have plenty of senior experience. Spurs are understood to have managed to get a verbal agreement with Bayern for a £50million (60million euros) move for Mathys Tel, and while that has put them in a strong position that is only half of the battle.

The 19-year-old is the subject of strong interest from many teams in Europe and particularly in the Premier League and is yet to decide on his destination.

That Spurs are looking to do a permanent deal will help their chances with Bayern and their director of sport Max Eberl confirmed the talks this week while saying: "It’s also about generating transfer revenue. Mathys is an incredibly sought-after player. Whether it will be a loan or a sale, we will discuss it in the coming days and hours."

Postecoglou was asked about Tel on Thursday night and would only say with a little grin at the play on words: "I can't tell you anything about Tel. I've been focusing on getting the team prepared tonight. Other people are working in the background. As I've said all along, I'm allowing them to get on with it and when and if there's any news I'm sure I'll find out."

Tel himself must decide whether he wants to leave Bayern entirely or simply on loan and if so where his destination will be, with Manchester United a strong contender in looking for an initial loan move.

Spurs can offer plenty of game time with the chance of silverware in three competitions at the moment but also a Premier League table that clearly shows their struggles.

The left winger, who can also play up front, has plenty of experience despite his age, having made 83 appearances for Bayern, with 16 goals and seven assists after his £25million move from Rennes in the summer of 2022.

Tel has bags of potential, with creativity and pace, but has found opportunities hard to come by this season under Vincent Kompany, with 14 appearances and one assist with no goals yet.

"I like the way he trains," said Harry Kane of the teenager after he kept impressing from the bench last season. "He's always pushing himself and is fully committed. Every time he came in he made a difference and is very confident."

Spurs are in the race for Tel but are battling as always with more powerful clubs for his signature.

There is also Tyler Dibling. The 18-year-old Southampton attacker is another highly-sought after teenager with Bayern among those looking at him with most of the Premier League.

Currently out with an ankle injury for a couple more weeks, Dibling has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the south coast with four goals and two assists in 24 matches, but it's unclear whether Southampton, who would ask big money for him, would allow him to move mid-season as they battle to remain in the Premier League.

Spurs have also moved to bolster their academy and the U21s with yet another 18-year-old in Manchester City's attacking midfielder Dan Batty. The midfielder, another Base client to add to the long list at Tottenham, has three goals and three assists from 10 games for City's U18s this season and will join the north London club's academy on a free transfer with the likelihood of some compensation being required.

For now Postecoglou needs senior recruits and extra bodies. Technical director Johan Lange's quiet way of working - some might suggest too quiet this window - will likely throw up further candidates in the final days and, if serious, Dragusin's injury might well necessitate another short-term centre-back being looked at unless Gray is to continue to play that role.

The academy boys did the club proud on Thursday night but Postecoglou and Tottenham need senior help in the days ahead to ensure this transfer window does not become as disastrously seismic as the empty ones in that pivotal 2018/19 season when the club should have pushed on. All eyes are on chairman Daniel Levy, Lange and the powers-that-be and whether they have learned from past mistakes.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Tottenham Hotspur have a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich over the transfer of Mathys Tel. That is the news coming out of Munich, with director of sport Max Eberl confirming the agreement on Friday morning.

Reports surfaced on Thursday that Spurs had agreed a deal worth €60million (£50.2million) with Bayern to sign Tel, although that would not stop other clubs agreeing on a deal for the talented 19-year-old too.

And Eberl has confirmed that deal is in place. Talking about a verbal agreement with Tottenham, the Bayern director said: "It’s about generating transfer revenue. Mathys is an incredibly sought-after player. Whether it will be a loan or a sale, we will discuss it in the coming days and hours."

Tel would be the perfect signing for Ange Postecolgou, who has been crying out for help in his ailing squad this season. The French forward can play anywhere across the frontline and has spent the last year-and-a-half learning from a certain Harry Kane.

Tel has spent most of his time at Bayern on the left wing rather than as the central striker. This season, however, has been a bit of a slow one for the teenage talent, who is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals. Tel has featured 14 times under Vincent Kompany in all competitions this term, but only four of them have been from the start - accumulating a total of 458 minutes.

Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham side face a huge week of football that could define their season. After their Premier League game at Brentford on Sunday afternoon, Spurs have a week of cup football to look forward to.

Firstly travelling to Merseyside to take on Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final showdown, three days later the team are away again when they face Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Two huge games on the calendar for Postecoglou and his players, it could prove to be a pivotal week in their season as they look to finally end their trophy hoodoo.

It is also a very important week for the club on the transfer front, with all Premier League teams having until 11pm on Monday, February 3 to finalise any remaining business. The hope will be that Tottenham can get players in through the door and that they can play their part for the team in the aforementioned cup fixtures.

One player who is on the lips of everyone right now is Mathys Tel. The Bayern Munich ace looks on course to leave the Allianz Arena prior to Monday's deadline and a number of clubs are keen on securing the talented Frenchman's signature.

Tottenham are one of them, joining the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for the forward. Spurs fans should certainly be aware of Tel as the 19-year-old was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer of 2023 as part of Harry Kane's big-money transfer to Bavaria.

A move at that time may not have come to fruition but 18 months down the line Tel could potentially pull on the white of Tottenham. In desperate need of attackers right now due to a host of injuries, the ex-Rennes man would give Postecoglou the options he requires in the front three as he has experience of playing on either wing and also through the middle as a striker.

The Spurs boss already knows plenty about the starlet after Tottenham's two pre-season friendlies against Bayern Munich last summer. Tel did start both games against Spurs, playing his part from the left-wing in 2-1 and 3-2 wins.

In the first game at Seoul World Cup Stadium, the France Under-21 international had a hand in Leon Goretzka's winner after playing a one-two with the German and putting the ball on a plate for his teammate to double Bayern's lead. Goretzka may have finished at the second time of asking but his chance on goal all came from Tel's positive run towards goal.

Tel was in fact unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet in the first half of the game in South Korea after having a couple of chances on goal. Cutting inside Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson to get a powerful effort away that flashed just wide of Guglielmo Vicario's far post, he then prodded wide of the target with another attempt just prior to half-time after the goalkeeper came off his line to close him down.

Starting in the reverse fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following week, Tel was key to Dayot Upamecano's equaliser after forcing Vicario into a smart reaction save on his line after meeting Joshua Kimmich's free-kick with his head. Another game where he showed his pace, power and qualities in the final third when playing from the left, Postecoglou will certainly have noted the challenges Tel was giving his side.

Now he will be hoping that the Sarcelles-born player can do likewise for Tottenham providing that the north London club can get a deal over the line before Monday's deadline. In what has been a very disappointing transfer window for Spurs, Tel could be a rare positive if he is to swap Bayern for Tottenham before the window slams shut until the summer.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou gave a coy response when asked about the prospect of signing Mathys Tel before Monday's deadline day.

Bayern Munich's impressive youngster came to the conclusion this week that he wished to leave the Bavarian club in the January transfer window. Last season under Thomas Tuchel, Tel scored seven goals and grabbed five assists in an impressive season for the youngster.

However, the now England manager has left Munich and Vincent Kompany has replaced him. Since then, Tel's opportunities have been reduced significantly and he has yet to register a goal this season.

The 19-year-old did start the victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday night but he appeared to bid farewell to the fans at the final whistle. Bayern have since confirmed that Tel wants to leave.

Prior to Spurs' 3-0 victory over IF Elfsborg in the Europa League, news broke that the North London club had entered into talks with Bayern over a deal for Tel. When asked about the prospect of signing the forward, Postecoglou did not dismiss suggestions that the club were in talks with the forward.

"I can't tell you anything about Tel," he told reporters in his post-match press conference. "I've been focusing on getting the team prepared tonight.

"Other people are working in the background. As I've said all along, I'm allowing them to get on with it and when, and if, there's any news I'm sure I'll find out."

While Tottenham have signed goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in this window, Postecoglou warned Daniel Levy that he would be playing with fire if he did not green light more transfers. "I don't ask those questions," the Tottenham boss said when quizzed on if there was more money to spend.

"It's not something I'm involved in, it's not something I have exposure to. My discussions with Johan [Lange] and the club have been about trying to get some help for the players and I'll let them do their jobs.

"I have daily communication with Johan in particular and he's trying everything he possibly can to get the help we need. I don't think I'm stating anything other than the obvious and for me to come here and say something else would be disingenuous - this playing group needs help, there's no doubt about that.

"We're sort of playing with fire by not bringing anyone in, but the flip side of that is the club is trying to change that situation."