Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel will become a permanent fixture at the North London club, following his deadline day move that includes a €55million purchase option.
The 19-year-old French forward, who was pursued by several Premier League giants including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea, completed his move to Spurs after some initial hesitation. The transfer, which was first agreed upon last Friday, temporarily fell through before being revived 72 hours later.
"He'll be a Tottenham player," Postecoglou declared ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool. "I think he'll show everyone he's going to be a Tottenham player in the next six months. I didn't bring him here for six months."
Addressing Tel's initial reluctance to leave Bayern Munich, Postecoglou offered a thoughtful perspective on the young player's decision-making process. "It's a simplistic way of looking at it," he explained. "People need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old player who has to make a major decision about his career."
The Australian manager revealed that he personally spoke with Tel over the phone to convince him to join Spurs. "I had a conversation with him and mine was purely about football," Postecoglou said. "I think he will find a really great place for him in terms of where he is in his career. He obviously wants to play and we have already shown that irrespective of age you will get an opportunity here."
Tel has already begun training with his new teammates, including fellow new arrival Kevin Danso, who joined on loan from Lens. Both players are available for selection for the upcoming Liverpool fixture, as Tottenham looks to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season and beyond.
The manager emphasized that Tel's careful consideration of the move was commendable, stating, "I think it is credit to him that he took his time and spoke to the right people." Postecoglou believes the club's style of play will suit the young forward perfectly, viewing the transfer as an ideal next step in Tel's career development.
