Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to hold talks with Bayern Munich before making a decision about the future of on-loan forward Mathys Tel.
After failing to gain regular first-team football in Germany during the first half of this season, Tel was persuaded to join Spurs in January on a temporary basis until the end of the campaign.
The 20-year-old has since featured 14 times for Ange Postecoglou‘s side, chipping in with three goals and one assist in 10 starts and four substitute outings across all competitions.
It is understood that the North Londoners have spent around £5m to recruit Tel on loan and have an option to buy the Frenchman this summer for a fee in the region of £45m.
While Tottenham are said to be keen to keep hold of Tel, former Spurs scout Mick Brown claims that the forward is unlikely to remain at the club unless they can re-negotiate a more reasonable price tag with Bayern.
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Tel more likely to return to Bayern this summer?
Brown, who also worked as the chief scout for Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, has insisted that Spurs may be forced to move on from Tel if they cannot re-negotiate a suitable deal with Bayern.
Speaking to Football Insider about the future of Tel, Brown said: “From what I hear, I think he’ll be going back to Bayern.
“He’s not quite lived up to expectations since he’s been there, and I think we’re seeing some of the reasons why Bayern were keen to let him go.
“I don’t doubt in an ideal world they’d want to keep him, but he hasn’t shown enough to warrant that price tag of almost £50m. It’s a deal that, to put it simply, is not going to happen at that price.
“I expect they’ll speak to Bayern Munich, and if there’s a possibility to bring that price down, then they may see what they can do.
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Tel future remains up in the air amid Spurs, Man Utd interest
“As much as he hasn’t lived up to the billing, he’s still a talented player. If Tottenham can get into the Champions League, I’m sure he’ll be more likely to want to stick around.
“At the moment though, with their place in the league and the money involved, it’s unlikely.”
It has previously been reported that Tel is still harbours aspirations of joining Man United after a deal to move to Old Trafford failed to materialise in January.
However, Tottenham’s chances of persuading the forward to stay in North London will be boosted if they win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champion League.
Postecoglou’s side, who sit 16th in the Premier League table, are currently preparing for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.