Aksel Kryhlmand
His move follows a successful loan spell at the club
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has given his enthusiastic endorsement of the club’s first signing under his tenure, hailing the permanent arrival of French forward Mathys Tel as a major step forward for the project he’s building in north London.
A Statement Signing
Tel joins Spurs from Bayern Munich in a deal worth £29.8 million (€35m) up front, with an additional £4.2 million (€5m) in potential add-ons. His move follows a successful loan spell at the club, where he impressed coaches and teammates with his technical quality, work ethic, and infectious energy.
The 20-year-old becomes the first permanent signing of the Frank era, one the Danish coach personally approved after analysing Tel’s attributes and long-term potential.
Very, very excited about Mathys signing with a permanent deal,” Frank told the club media. “I think he’s a very talented player that can play across the front four positions. He’s a goalscorer that we can develop even further to be more consistent in his all-round game.
Tactical Fit for Frank’s Vision
Frank has long favored fluid, attacking systems that maximize the use of versatile wide players, and Tel’s ability to operate on either flank, as a central striker or in a supporting role, aligns perfectly with that model.
What we do in the final third, in terms of creating chances, playing in behind, putting balls in the box, is key, Frank said earlier this week. Tel’s profile is seen as an ideal fit for such principles.
football.london reported earlier that Frank personally reviewed Tel’s development arc and gave a green light based not only on his talent but on the belief that the young forward can thrive in a more structured system that encourages creative freedom in the final third.
Room to Grow
While Tel made a strong first impression during his loan stint, particularly in standout performances like his energetic display against Nottingham Forest in April, Spurs staff recognize there is plenty of room for further development.
Tel’s finishing and final-ball consistency remain areas for improvement, and club analysts believe he still needs to develop physically to cope with the demands of Premier League football. His explosiveness, stamina, and strength in one-vs-one duels are all areas earmarked for focused work under Frank’s coaching team.
The Frenchman is also seen as a player who can improve defensively. While willing to track back, his positioning and awareness out of possession will need sharpening if he’s to evolve beyond an impact player and into a reliable starter.
Long-Term Investment
Tel has signed a six-year contract, indicating the club’s belief in his long-term value. He’s currently representing France at the UEFA U21 European Championship alongside new Spurs teammate Wilson Odobert, but Frank and his staff are already planning how to integrate him more fully into the squad next season.
Despite limited minutes at Bayern prior to his move, Tel’s technical base, attitude in training, and personality have made a strong impact behind the scenes.
He’s a positive character with an excellent training mentality,” a club source told football.london. “We believe he can grow into a key player for us.