Mathys Tel transfer twist shocks expert after Tottenham done deal

Tottenham will have been very surprised when Mathys Tel initially turned down a move to North London, according to Ian Darke.

The TV commentator, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, foresaw the transfer reigniting, which occurred on Deadline Day (3 February) as the young forward signed on loan with an option to buy in the summer.

Darke believes Tel will earn plenty of playing time despite the competition for places at Spurs, particularly when Dominic Solanke returns from injury.

"I was surprised when Tel initially rejected Tottenham because he's leaving Bayern Munich to get playing time. A lot of transfers that are originally off can switch again as this one has," he said.

"He needs to be somewhere where he's going into the team, and I'm pretty sure he'll get a lot of games at Spurs.

"He can play out wide or as a 10 as well, so even when Solanke comes back I think Tel can fit in."

Tottenham state of play with Mathys Tel deal

Tottenham have secured Tel for a loan fee of around £8.3million, after which a permanent deal for just short of £50m can be concluded.

However, the Frenchman has ensured he has a strong say in whether he joins permanently in the summer, combining his thoughts on his loan spell with those of the Spurs hierarchy who are likely to want to keep him.

Tel will most likely be given a starting berth up front sooner or later by Ange Postecoglou, who awaits Solanke's eventual return to action and in the meantime also has Son Heung-min and Richarlison available to lead as number nines.

Young striker Will Lankshear has been allowed to move on loan to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship to gain senior experience, while the pressure hikes onto Tel's shoulders as the winter marquee signing to hit the ground running.

Spurs now turn full focus to their titanic second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield on Thursday (6 February), with Liverpool baying for blood to ensure their own spot at Wembley and overturn the slender deficit.

In other Tottenham news, a verdict drops on whether one Spurs star will make his debut v Liverpool.

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