The two reasons Manchester United didn’t sign Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan

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Manchester United’s prospects of signing another forward are looking incredibly slim.

Going into transfer deadline day, there was a quiet confidence that Ineos could produce the goods and back Ruben Amorim.

Amorim told Jason Wilcox he wanted a forward to be signed, but despite this, there is nothing progressing in that direction right now.

Manchester United’s attacking options include just four senior names, with the departure of Marcus Rashford on loan leaving Amorim short.

• Alejandro Garnacho
• Amad Diallo
• Joshua Zirkzee
• Rasmus Hojlund

Mathys Tel looked like an option, with United well-placed to sign the Frenchman. However, after talks stalled – Tel is now off elsewhere.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

Why Manchester United didn’t move for Mathys Tel

United had been looking into signing Tel on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day.

However, Tel’s Bayern exit will now take him to Spurs as opposed to Old Trafford – with the North London side agreeing on a straight loan deal.

This has led to a meltdown amongst United fans who viewed Tel as the realistic addition to United’s options.

But United in Focus now understands, via Graeme Bailey, that there were two very good reasons for United’s non-move for Tel.

United refused to make a loan swoop for Tel, due to Bayern’s demands of a £6.5m loan fee – a number which Ineos were not willing to pay while Spurs were.

The second reason was that United wanted an option to buy included in the loan – with a straight loan, not an option.

Ineos missing out on this deal could be instantly regretted as Tel’s Premier League debut will come against United in 13 days.

• READ: Who is Mathys Tel? The Manchester United striker target now heading to Tottenham

Manchester United could still sign a forward

As unlikely as it looks, there is still time and names available to United that could be signed.

Leon Bailey is one option for United with the Aston Villa attacker set to go down in the pecking order due to Rashford’s arrival.

A move to sign Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku is unlikely due to United’s low valuation and a straight loan is not an option.

Due to how difficult a deal looks to get done, United may actually need to turn to the academy.

United rejected a bid for Gabriele Biancheri on deadline day, which could suggest he is primed for a bigger role.