Speculation around Mathys Tel’s future at Tottenham has intensified again, with new reports from Italy suggesting the young forward is unsettled in London and could push for a move as early as January.
His journey over the last few months has been filled with highs and lows, and the constant noise from abroad has only added more uncertainty to a situation that is far from straightforward.
Tel arrived at Tottenham during the summer in a permanent move from Bayern Munich, a transfer that generated plenty of excitement among the fans and coaching staff. His pace, energy, and willingness to attack defenders made him an attractive addition, and the club believed they were bringing in a player who could grow into a major part of their long-term project.
Not long after his arrival, however, he was surprisingly left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad, a decision that immediately raised eyebrows and created early questions about his role under the current management.
Despite that setback, Tel has managed to produce moments of quality in the Premier League. He has already scored two goals, including an important strike against Manchester United that highlighted his instinct in front of goal and his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
His performances have hinted at the raw potential Tottenham saw when they invested €35 million in him. And with injuries piling up in the squad, he has found himself in a position where more minutes are almost guaranteed.
Randal Kolo Muani is out, Dominic Solanke is unavailable, and Richarlison has not had the impact expected of him this season. In that context, Tel’s importance to Tottenham has grown dramatically.
Even so, Italian media outlets continue to push the story that the 20-year-old is unhappy in London. Gazzetta dello Sport has gone as far as linking him with a January exit, claiming that AS Roma are eager to bring him in on loan.
According to their report, Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has placed Tel at the very top of his list of potential signings. He views the French forward as a player with huge potential, someone who can be shaped, developed, and polished into a more complete attacking weapon. From Roma’s perspective, Tel fits their ideal profile: young, energetic, versatile, and capable of growing into a star.
There is a belief in Italy that a loan move is feasible, mainly because Tottenham would not consider any permanent sale so soon after committing such a large fee. The idea is that a temporary switch could satisfy both parties: Roma would gain an immediate boost in attack, while Tottenham would retain a long-term asset.
Italian optimism, however, often works without considering the full situation, and this is a clear example of that. Spurs are dealing with a shortage of forwards, and every available attacker is more valuable than ever.
Tottenham need goals, stability, and options during a demanding part of the season. With two strikers unavailable and inconsistency elsewhere in the attack, it is difficult to imagine the club approving a loan that weakens the squad further.
Tel has already shown flashes of quality, and with more playing time on the horizon, this period could be essential for his growth. Allowing him to leave in January would go against everything the club needs at this moment.
The noise from Italy may continue, but much of it seems to be built on assumptions rather than the reality at Tottenham. Roma’s interest is understandable they see a young talent with room to grow but Tottenham’s situation makes a departure extremely unlikely.
Tel may have had a turbulent start in London, but the coming months could offer the opportunity he has been waiting for, and Spurs will want to keep him close as they navigate injuries and inconsistent form.
In the end, the rumours say more about Roma’s hopes than Tottenham’s intentions. Tel remains an important part of the squad, and unless something drastic changes, his immediate future is set to stay in North London, where the club still believes he can become a key figure in their attack.
