Arsenal are looking to capitalise on Mathys Tel’s rejection of Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to strike a deal with Bayern Munich before the transfer window closes.
With Manchester United’s bids for the forward turned down, Arsenal are positioning themselves as the most viable destination for the French teenager.
Reports indicated that Arsenal and United were the final two contenders for Tel’s signature, with the 19-year-old weighing up his future.
According to Fabrizio Romano, both clubs have maintained contact with Tel’s camp, with Arsenal making renewed efforts to bring him to north London. However, United’s latest two bids have been rebuffed by Bayern, giving Arsenal an opportunity to move ahead.
Tel, who idolises Thierry Henry, has struggled for consistent minutes at Bayern, playing just 458 minutes this season and registering a single assist.
His limited involvement has sparked interest from Premier League clubs, though one by one, many suitors have faded away. Tottenham had appeared to be frontrunners at one stage, even agreeing a £50m deal in principle. However, Sky Germany reported that Tel was unconvinced by Spurs’ project and told Bayern he would rather stay than move to North London.
Arsenal, sensing an opening, have now stepped up their pursuit.
A move for Tel would align with Arsenal’s ongoing search for attacking reinforcements, particularly in light of long-term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Arteta is keen to add depth to his forward line, and Tel’s versatility across attacking positions makes him an attractive option.
The Gunners have reportedly received positive signals from Tel’s representatives, but negotiations with Bayern over loan terms—including a potential option to buy—remain unresolved.
Arsenal’s interest in Tel comes after a failed bid for Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa unwilling to sell. Similarly, their plans to land Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig in the summer hinge on an agreed £60m clause. Acquiring Tel on loan would provide a short-term solution while keeping future transfer plans intact.
Meanwhile, Arsenal may see outgoings before the deadline. Oleksandr Zinchenko has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, potentially paving the way for Kieran Tierney to return to Celtic in the summer.
Tel’s history of departures under contentious circumstances adds another layer to Arsenal’s pursuit. His exit from Stade Rennais to Bayern was met with frustration in France, and his time in Germany has been punctuated by dissatisfaction over playing time.
Similarly, his brief stint at Ajax, where he was tipped as a future star, ended abruptly amid disputes over development plans. If Arsenal succeed in securing him, they will be acquiring a player with undoubted talent but a track record of leaving clubs under a cloud.
As the transfer deadline looms, Arsenal are pushing to finalise a deal, hoping to add another attacking option to Arteta’s squad. With United falling behind and Spurs ruled out, Tel’s next move could soon be decided.