Manchester United target Mathys Tel is now “no longer ruling out staying” at Bayern Munich in the latest twist to the red-hot transfer saga which has taken over the final days of the January transfer window.
Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) reveals the 19-year-old forward has softened his stance on an exit from the Allianz Arena “for the first time in four days” since Tel sent shockwaves throughout Europe by demanding to leave Bayern.
A host of clubs across the continent have made enquiries to sign the French starlet this week, including Aston Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and, of course, United.
The Red Devils hold a long-standing interest in Tel and are actively working on a loan deal for the remainder of the season to buttress Ruben Amorim’s attacking unit. United could then look to sign the 19-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer with the inclusion of a buy clause in the approach this month.
Spurs had emerged as frontrunners for Tel after agreeing a £50 million deal with Bayern. This was rejected by the Frenchman, however, with reports suggesting his preference was a move to Old Trafford.
But German transfer expert Plettenberg is now contending Tel is open to staying in Bavaria with just over three days remaining of the January transfer window.
🚨🆕 For the first time in the past four days, Mathys #Tel is no longer ruling out staying at FC Bayern after rejecting Tottenham today!
Bayern have now also received information that a stay is possible. However, further discussions are ongoing. Manchester United, who contacted… pic.twitter.com/fAPhRTBusE
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 31, 2025
Tweet: “For the first time in the past four days, Mathys #Tel is no longer ruling out staying at FC Bayern after rejecting Tottenham today!
Bayern have now also received information that a stay is possible. However, further discussions are ongoing. Manchester United, who contacted Bayern by phone, remain in the race. Aston Villa, Arsenal and Chelsea are still involved. #MUFC
It now depends on the clubs, on their projects, visions and concrete offers whether a loan or even a sale could still happen before the Deadline Day. Tel rejected Tottenham today because he wasn’t convinced by the project – independent of the Spurs’ offer.”
Plettenberg states Bayern officials have “received information that a stay is possible.” However, the Sky Sports reporter counters this by revealing “discussions are ongoing” after Old Trafford officials “contacted Bayern by phone” to try and close a deal for Tel.
Christopher Michel, another reputable Bundesliga expert, offers further insight into United’s pursuit of the highly-rated forward, revealing the Reds are “working hard on a transfer” and Tel remains “very interested” in the switch to Manchester.
News #Tel: #MUFC is now working hard on a transfer for Mathys Tel and Tel, who has been on the club’s list for some time, is very interested. A loan with an option to buy would be the preferred model from the Manchester. #FCB
— Christopher Michel (@CMoffiziell) January 31, 2025
Tweet: “#MUFC is now working hard on a transfer for Mathys Tel and Tel, who has been on the club’s list for some time, is very interested. A loan with an option to buy would be the preferred model from the Manchester.”
Michel corroborates reports indicating United’s “preferred model” for a deal would be a “loan with an option to buy” but it remains to be seen whether Bayern’s executive team would sanction this move, having seen Spurs’ £50 million bid fall through after it was accepted.
With the deadline for the winter window fast approaching, this remains a transfer race which has the potential to end in a variety of different ways; but INEOS will be praying Tel is holding a red shirt come Monday.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
