Manchester United opted against signing Mathys Tel before Tottenham secured the young forward on loan, reportedly viewing Bayern Munich’s financial demands as excessive.
Spurs initially faced rejection from Tel despite agreeing to a €60 million (£50.2m) transfer, but the 19-year-old eventually reconsidered and finalized his move on deadline day.
As part of the agreement, Tottenham secured an option to sign Tel permanently this summer for €55m (£45.7m). Meanwhile, United were involved in discussions but ultimately declined to meet Bayern’s £5m loan fee, deeming it a costly gamble for a largely unproven talent.
Tel, who arrived at Bayern from Rennes for €28.5m (£24.4m) in 2022, has struggled for game time this season, making just three starts for the Bundesliga leaders.
However, former United defender Gary Neville believes the move to Spurs could be transformative, praising the club’s infrastructure and attacking style.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Neville expressed confidence in Tel’s potential impact, emphasizing the importance of regular playing time.
With Tottenham still competing in the Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, Tel is expected to have opportunities to make a difference in a crucial phase of the season.