Tel deal OFF! Man Utd forced to pursue Nkunku as Bayern reject two bids

Tom Weber

Updated: 2 Feb 2025 18:35 GMT
4 min read

Mathys Tel, Bayern Munich, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United and Bayern Munich have stopped their negotiations over Mathys Tel after two rejected bids.

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The Frenchman's bizarre January has taken another huge twist. On Sunday afternoon, Tel consented to a move to Man Utd after snubbing a €60m permanent transfer to Tottenham earlier in the week.

However, as was already acknowledged when the news broke, negotiations between the club were complicated. Man Utd, firmly in line with Tel's desire, had made a loan offer. Bayern, though, rebuffed the approach and demanded a permanent deal or at least a loan with an obligation to buy.

Bayern, who need to raise funds after a summer of lavish spending, have likely been left frustrated by Tel's earlier decision to reject Tottenham, which would have seen the Bavarians make a €40m profit on a player who has struggled to establish himself in the first team.

Now, Ben Jacobs and Sky Germany report that talks between Man Utd and Bayern are completely off after the Bundesliga giants rejected a second, improved bid for Tel.

Man Utd to focus on Nkunku?

Man Utd could still look to revive the talks on Deadline Day (Monday), but as things stand, Tel will not be moving to Old Trafford this month. Arsenal, on the other hand, still continue to court the Frenchman, although it is not clear if he is open to the move as he wants guarantees of game time.

Man Utd's failure to land the 19-year-old means that they will now focus on different options. Before the news of the collapse broke, Ben Jacobs urged supporters to keep an eye on the situation of Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku.

The Red Devils hold an interest in Tel's compatriot, although so far little has developed on that front due to Chelsea's €70m asking price. However, a swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho had previously been mooted.

Additionally, Man Utd have enquired about the situation of Leon Bailey at Aston Villa in the past 24 hours. The Birmingham club could bring in as many as three attackers before the window shuts, including Red Devils star Marcus Rashford, and could let Bailey leave, which has piqued the interest of several suitors.