Aston Villa open talks to sign £40m Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea target

Aston Villa have reportedly lodged an official enquiry to Bayern Munich over the availability of promising attacker Mathys Tel.

With Jhon Duran undergoing a medical today ahead of a €77 million (£64.4m) switch to Saudi Pro League sideo Al-Nassr, Villa are eager to sign a replacement. Chelsea forward Joao Felix is understood to be Emery’s first choice but other options are being considered.

Fabrizio Romano reports Villa have joined the race for Tel with official contact made to Bayern to ask for deal conditions. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing Tel on a permanent basis, while Manchester United want the 19-year-old on loan.

Tel contributed an impressive 10 goals and six assists in just 1,406 minutes of action last season, working out at a goal involvement every 87 minutes. Those numbers are scarily similar to Duran’s at Villa this term, with the Colombian’s 12 goal involvements in 1,043 minutes working out as one every 87 minutes too.

It’s not quite been as free-flowing for Tel this campaign as the France Under-21 international has failed to score a single goal in 14 appearances. Most of those have been off the bench, however, with the likes of Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry preferred.

Bayern Munich respond to Mathys Tel interest

Predominantly a left forward but also capable of playing as an out-and-out striker or a right winger, Tel’s versatility makes him an attractive option for a host of suitors. Bayern wanted to keep hold of the teenager originally but the player has expressed a desire to leave.

Bayern’s director, Max Eberl, has admitted a departure is certainly possible before the end of the transfer window: “Yes, Mathys Tel wants to go. Loan or permanent? We will assess all the options. I've rarely had so many clubs call me about a player before,” Eberl said.

A report from RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins suggests Tel could be available for anywhere between €50-60 million (£41.8-50.1m). Villa certainly have those funds available with Duran’s exit imminent but the competition is fierce.

In other news, Emery has explained the thinking behind Duran’s sale and hinted at a possible replacement being signed in the coming days.