Mathys Tel transfer: Man Utd move increasingly unlikely to happen this window as deadline day approaches

Mathys Tel's move to Manchester United is increasingly unlikely to happen before the transfer deadline, despite the Bayern Munich forward's preference to join the club.

Bayern Munich have already turned down a loan offer from United for Tel, according to Sky in Germany.

The Bundesliga club are understood to prefer a permanent deal or a loan which includes an obligation to buy.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also said to be keen on the 19-year-old.

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Tel turned down the chance to sign for Tottenham earlier this week after the clubs had agreed a £50m deal.

Sky in Germany reported Tel's future will depend on if the forward is convinced by the projects on offer.

Bayern director of sport Max Eberl told Sky in Germany on Friday morning: "It's also about generating transfer revenue. Mathys is an incredibly sought-after player.

"Whether it will be a loan or a sale, we will discuss it in the coming days and hours."

He was not in the Bayern Munich squad for Sunday's match against Holstein Kiel.

Speaking on the decision to leave him out, Bayern's sporting director said Christoph Freund said: "We're talking a lot with him. A lot's been going on with the young lad in the past few days. He's only 19.

"We decided together with him [on Saturday] that there's a lot on his mind, so it makes no sense for him to be involved today.

"That was discussed very openly with him. But that doesn't mean anything. There's a lot going on right now. Lots of clubs are interested in Mathys. He just needs to think about things today and tomorrow."

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Amorim insists Man Utd are 'trying everything' to improve his squad

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United are "trying everything" to improve before Monday's Deadline Day having suffered a damaging defeat to Crystal Palace and lost Lisandro Martinez to injury.

The Red Devils' run of three wins in all competitions came to an abrupt end on Sunday afternoon as Jean-Philippe Mateta's brace helped the Eagles soar to a fourth Old Trafford triumph in their last six visits.

The 2-0 defeat was United's 11th league loss of the season, underlining the rebuild required at a club that has so far this window brought in Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, 20, and unproven 18-year-old Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven.

The pair were introduced before kick-off and Amorim hopes further new blood arrives by Monday's deadline as Marcus Rashford prepares to follow Antony out of the club by joining Aston Villa on an initial loan.

"We are trying everything to improve the team without doing mistakes of the past, and trying to balance the urgency of the moment," the United head coach said.

"So, we know all of the aspects of our club in the moment, but we are trying everything."

Asked if Rashford leaving helps in that respect, Amorim said: "We'll see. There is one more day. Let's wait until the window closes."

Analysis: Why Tel is in demand

Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

Tel has been a peripheral figure for Bayern Munich this season, playing only 344 minutes across their Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns without scoring. But at 19, he remains a thrilling talent with plenty to offer and plenty of room for improvement.

He demonstrated his immense potential last season, contributing nine goals and six assists across the Bundesliga and Champions League, despite mostly featuring as a substitute, and averaging an eye-catching 1.15 goal involvements per 90 minutes.

Context is important, of course. Many of those substitute appearances came at points in games where Bayern were already several goals up. But his talent is not in doubt. It is what convinced Bayern to pay roughly £23m to land him at the age of only 17 in 2022.

Tel is quick, strong in the air and, crucially, an accomplished finisher. His versatility is another asset.

As shown in the graphic above, Tel's minutes at Bayern have been split across different positions. He has played the highest share of minutes on the left, where he is able to cut in on his right foot. But he is also adept with his left foot and has been used on the right, as a central striker, and even in midfield.

He would have to adapt to new surroundings in the Premier League, of course. Hitting the ground running would be a challenge mid-season. But it is easy to understand the interest, even if he would not come cheaply to any side looking to sign him permanently.

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