Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel has told the club he is willing to depart on a temporary deal this month, as he seeks the regular first-team football he believes is crucial for his international ambitions.
Frustration Builds for Young Forward
The 20-year-old Frenchman, who joined Spurs from Bayern Munich in a deal that could rise to £30 million, has grown increasingly frustrated by his limited opportunities under manager Thomas Frank. Despite starting in Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa, Tel has found consistent minutes hard to come by in the Premier League.
His primary motivation is to force his way into Didier Deschamps' plans for the upcoming World Cup. Tel's recent appointment as captain of the France Under-21 side has only heightened his desire to play regularly and build momentum.
Clubs Queue Up for Temporary Deal
Paris FC, along with Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, have all expressed a firm interest in taking Tel on loan for the remainder of the season. It is understood that clubs from Italy and Spain have also made tentative enquiries to Tottenham about his availability.
However, Spurs are reportedly hesitant to sanction a departure. The recent £35 million sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace has left them light in attacking options, a situation compounded by an injury to Mohammed Kudus, who is sidelined until April with a thigh problem.
A Surprising Season at Spurs
Tel's situation has been complicated. He initially joined on loan last season and was an unused substitute in the Europa League final. Just two days after Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, Tottenham triggered the option to make his transfer permanent.
The decision to omit him from their Champions League squad in September came as a major shock to the player. He was only reinstated to the list in December, following a long-term injury to striker Dominic Solanke.
Sources close to the player stress there is no desire for a permanent exit, and that Tel remains committed to proving himself at Tottenham in the long term. His move from Bayern was always motivated by a search for more senior action, and a short-term loan is now seen as the best route to achieve that.
Spurs' Transfer Activity Continues
Amid the uncertainty surrounding Tel, Tottenham are close to finalising a £13 million deal to sign teenage left-back Souza from Brazilian club Santos. The club continues to monitor the market for attacking reinforcements, with links to RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz.
In a separate development, co-sporting director Fabio Paratici is expected to complete a move to Italian side Fiorentina once the January transfer window closes. Paratici returned from a 30-month football ban in October and has been working alongside Johan Lange.
