Tottenham Hotspur are on course to trigger their option to buy Mathys Tel instead of allowing him to head back to Bayern Munich at the end of his loan deal as he is being viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Hotspur Way fan favourite Heung-min Son, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Spurs are already aware that they will have to part with £20.9million to sign Kevin Danso permanently in the summer, having included an obligation to purchase the central defender when they held negotiations with Lens during the winter transfer window, but boss Ange Postecoglou is making plans to make further alterations to his squad.
Although there is ongoing uncertainty over who will be in the dugout heading into next term, thanks to Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola being eyed by influential figures behind the scenes and suffering a 16th Premier League defeat of the campaign at the hands of Chelsea earlier this week, Tottenham are expected to retain Tel's services.
Spurs Expected to Use Option to Purchase Tel
France under-21 international enjoying time in London since switch
Tottenham are likely to seal the deal to keep Tel beyond the end of the season, according to GMS sources, as there is a strong belief among key decision-makers that he will prove to be money well spent after an acknowledgement that he headed to north London in a difficult period.
Spurs have an option to buy the forward for £45million, thanks to the terms agreed with Bundesliga title-chasers Bayern Munich in the final hours of the winter transfer window, and they are tempted to take advantage even though he was reduced to a late substitute appearance against cross-capital rivals Chelsea in midweek.
GMS sources have been informed that Tel is thought to be enjoying life in London, despite still searching for his first Premier League goal and failing to make himself an automatic starter, and members of the Tottenham hierarchy are adamant that he fits the profile they want on board as they look to progress.
The France under-21 international's mid-season arrival at Spurs came after he initially snubbed the opportunity to join Postecoglou's charges when a big-money deal was agreed, only to change his mind due to it becoming clear that he would be forced to contend with limited game time if he remained at Bayern Munich.
Tottenham have not made a final decision on Tel's future, but GMS sources have learned that they are leaning towards keeping him in his current surroundings as there is increasing confidence that his form will improve after joining a side low on confidence and languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Mathys Tel was limited to just 253 minutes of Bundesliga action this season, prior to joining Tottenham Hotspur
Tel Identified as Replacement for Captain Son
Postecoglou could allow skipper to head through exit door
GMS sources have been told there remains a possibility that Tottenham will sell captain Son in the summer, despite triggering an option to extend his contract by 12 months a matter of weeks ago, and Tel has been earmarked as a potential long-term successor as their first-choice option on the left flank.
The 19-year-old has been described as 'extraordinary' by Thierry Henry, who managed him during a stint in charge of France's under-21 side, and there are plans for his game time to increase between now and the end of the season despite recent benchings as Spurs prepare to make a final call over how he fits into their future plans.
Influential figures at Tottenham are certain that Tel will fit seamlessly into their first-choice starting line-up over time, GMS sources understand, and tying him down to a permanent agreement will not have an impact on the capital club's other transfer plans as they would still aim to acquire another attacker if he stays.
Spurs are looking for further creativity from wide positions and GMS sources recently revealed that chairman Daniel Levy has been working on a deal for Tyler Dibling for weeks after identifying him as a potential arrival from domestic counterparts Southampton ahead of the transfer window reopening.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 04/04/2025