Four Premier League clubs are reportedly in contact with the agent of wantaway Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.
Bayern's director of sport Max Eberl confirmed on Wednesday night that the 19-year-old had asked to leave the club before the winter window closes on February 3.
"We spoke in December, and Mathys said he wanted to establish himself. Now he says he wants to leave," Ebrel told reporters after Tel started Bayern's 3-1 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava.
"There's no bad blood. I can understand him. I've rarely had so many clubs call me about a player before."
"Mathys Tel wants to go. Loan or permanent? We will assess all the options," Ebrel added. "I've rarely had so many clubs call me about a player before".
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PL quartet 'in contact' with Tel's agent
Tel appeared to wave goodbye to the Allianz Arena faithful after the match on Wednesday, and when asked by Sky Deutschland if he had played his last game for Vincent Kompany's side, he replied: "I don't know."
A recent report claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are the latest Premier League club to join Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the race for Tel's signature.
Now, Sky Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg states that all four English clubs have 'gathered all the information' about Tel and are 'in contact' with his agent.
It is also claimed that clubs from the Bundesliga, France and 'other countries' are also keen to sign Tel in this transfer window.
Bayern are believed to be considering both loan and permanent exit options for Tel, who is under contract at the Allianz Arena until the summer of 2029.
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Who will win race for Tel?
Tel was signed by Bayern from Rennes for a reported €28.5m in July 2022 and has since contributed with 16 goals and seven assists in 83 appearances across all competitions, winning the Bundesliga title in 2022-23.
However, the French forward has become frustrated with his lack of regular game time, starting just four of his 14 appearances in all tournaments this season, and he is now ready to seek pastures new.
According to the Daily Mail, both Tottenham and Chelsea have the 'firmest interest' in signing Tel, but an official approach from either Man United, Arsenal or Aston Villa has not been completely ruled out.
It is claimed that Tel is waiting to see if Man United or Arsenal will formalise their interest in his services before he makes a final decision on his preferred destination.
While Man United are on the lookout for a new forward amidst uncertainty over the futures of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Arsenal are prioritising the addition of a new striker, and have already seen an offer of £60m for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa.