Sky Journalist Claims United Could Challenge Chelsea For French Ace Who Has Decided “To Leave” His Current Team

Manchester United are weighing up whether to make a move for Mathys Tel following his “decision to leave” Bayern Munich, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The France Under 21 international has not played in the Bundesliga side’s last three fixtures, having been left on the bench by manager Vincent Kompany.

Frustrations over his lack of game time have led to Tel considering his options and he has now decided that he is best off leaving the Allianz Arena to ensure that his career doesn’t stagnate.


The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks but Plettenberg says it is an “open race” for the player’s signature, with United and other teams also involved.

What do fans need to know about Tel?

The winger came through the academy at Rennes, making his first senior appearance at the age of 16 against Brest in August 2021 – he remains the youngest debutant in the club’s history.

Tel would only play 10 first-team games before he was snapped up by Bayern for €28.5m (including add-ons) in the summer of 2022. He has spent the last two and a half seasons in Bavaria but he has not managed to establish himself as a regular starter during that time.

United may only make an approach if they offload a player

Tel can play as either a No.9 or off the left flank and it is believed that the Red Devils will only step up their interest in the Frenchman if either Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho leaves Old Trafford before the transfer deadline.

Rashford’s future remains up in the air but Chelsea are known to be keen on securing Garnacho’s signature. A lot may depend on whether the Blues see Tel or the Argentinian international as their top target. If it is the latter, it would allow United to move for the Bayern forward unimpeded.

Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here

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David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.