Mathys Tel is set to perform a dramatic deadline day U-turn by agreeing a loan deal to join Tottenham after stalling over a move to the club last week, sources have told ESPN.
The player’s representative, Gadiri Camara, shared a picture on Instagram of himself on an airplane along with Tel and sources say their destination is Spurs after a breakthrough in negotiations.
The exact structure of the deal is not yet finalised but sources say it is likely to be a straight loan with no option or obligation of a permanent move for the 19-year-old France youth international.
Tel’s decision to express a desire to leave Bayern Munich over a lack of game time — having joined the club for around €28 million ($29m) from Rennes in 2022 — sparked interest from a number of clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal.
Chelsea were already in contact with Bayern over Tel and a possible swap deal involving Christopher Nkunku but those talks failed to progress.
Sources have told ESPN that United were open to a loan move — potentially with an option to make the move permanent — but no agreement was close while Arsenal did not seriously pursue the player.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy flew to Munich on Friday to hold face-to-face talks with the player and his representatives but Tel ultimately left those conversations unconvinced of his next move.
However, with an early transfer deadline in Germany of just 5 p.m CET. compared to England’s 11 p.m GMT., Tel has now decided to join Spurs after conversations with manager Ange Postecoglou and is due in London later on Monday for medical tests ahead of signing a short-term contract.
Spurs had initially agreed a €60m deal for Tel but he was unsure over making a permanent move. Talks then switched to a loan so Spurs could get their man, and Tel could review his options in the summer.