eal Betis are reportedly weighing up a late swoop for Tottenham forward Mathys Tel as they search for reinforcements before the transfer window shuts, though any move looks set to be an uphill battle given how well the young Frenchman has been playing for Spurs this pre-season. Tottenham are already busy chasing other attacking targets, with strong links to Manchester City’s Savinho and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, but that hasn’t stopped questions being raised about the futures of players already at the club. Betis are said to be prioritising a new centre-forward, with Santiago Giménez and Arnaud Kalimuendo reportedly ahead of Tel on their wishlist, though the Spurs man has now entered the picture as well.
Reports out of Spain suggest Betis could look to test Tottenham’s resolve with a loan enquiry for the 21-year-old before the window closes. The Spanish club reportedly feel Tel could thrive under the guidance of veteran boss Manuel Pellegrini, and with Tottenham missing out on European football next season, Betis believe game time could be harder to come by for the youngster in north London. A temporary switch to La Liga, in their view, would give Tel a platform to play regularly, sharpen his development and boost his value, while also handing Betis a young forward with proven Premier League pedigree.
Spurs, though, appear unlikely to entertain the idea, largely because of how thin their attacking options currently look. Wilson Odobert remains sidelined through injury, and there’s still doubt over whether Dejan Kulusevski will be back to full fitness and sharpness soon after his own layoff. That leaves Tottenham short on proven wide threats, with Mohammed Kudus – himself only just returning from a long spell out – and Tel among the precious few available to Roberto De Zerbi right now. Another untimely injury before the season gets going could make that shortage even more serious.
Beyond the numbers game, Tel’s own form makes a compelling case for staying put. He’s reportedly been among Tottenham’s standout performers throughout pre-season, playing with confidence and a real cutting edge going forward. That form has apparently put him firmly in the frame to start the opening league fixture against Brentford, which makes letting him leave on loan feel like a gamble Spurs may not want to take.
Even should Tottenham land both Savinho and Gakpo, there’s a strong argument for keeping Tel around regardless. Given how badly injuries have hit the squad in recent campaigns, having strength in depth up front could prove crucial once the season is in full swing. For Betis, Tel remains an appealing option who could flourish with regular minutes in Spain – but for Spurs, losing him now would only deepen an attack that’s already stretched thin.
How this plays out may hinge on Tottenham’s business over the closing weeks of the window. Bring in enough attacking reinforcements, and a temporary Tel exit becomes more plausible. But if fresh injury concerns crop up, holding onto him looks like the far safer route. With the Frenchman in such rich pre-season form and clearly pushing for a regular starting spot, there’s little incentive for Tottenham to rush a decision – keeping him around and letting his momentum carry into the new campaign may well be the smarter play.
