Bayern star Tel 'in the spotlight' as Man Utd move on from Dutch duo

Willem Leijgraf

• Updated: 17 Feb 2024 12:31 GMT
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag appears set to snub his compatriots Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee to focus on the signing of Mathys Tel instead.

On Friday, news broke that Manchester United are now interested in the Bayern Munich wonderkid. According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Manchester giants have even contacted the management of the 18-year-old attacker, who is also the subject of interest from two other clubs in the Premier League.

Tel still has a contract until 2027 in Bavaria, where he arrived in 2022, having made his debut in professional football at the age of 16 for Stade Rennes.

After a season in Ligue 1, Bayern had seen enough and put no less than €20 million on the table for the French youth international. Tel signed a five-year contract and currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €25.9m.

To date, Tel has played 55 games for the record German champions. However, he has only been used as a starter six times. This is the reason why Man Utd, together with other interested clubs, believe that they can poach the top talent from Bayern.

According to Plettenberg, Tel is focused on succeeding in Munich but wants assurances that they see him as a future first-choice striker. In a fresh update on the situation, the journalist asserts that "Man Utd have intensively analysed him" in recent weeks and that he's now firmly "in the spotlight."

The Red Devils and coach Erik ten Hag, despite the good form of Rasmus Højlund, are still keen on an extra striker as a reinforcement for the summer.

While Ajax sharpshooter Brian Brobbey was previously mentioned as a potential acquisition, Tel is now at the top of the wish list. Additionally, Plettenberg reports that Bologna's breakout star Joshua Zirkzee is still being tracked, but that United's interest has grown somewhat cold lately.