EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal make Tel U-turn as Arteta targets January wonderkid move

Arsenal are ready to make Bayern Munich an offer for striker Mathys Tel before the close of the January transfer window, FootballTransfers has been told by sources.

Arsenal have been seeking a solution to Mikel Arteta’s lack of depth in attack throughout January, with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus leaving Kai Havertz to shoulder much of the Gunners’ attacking burden.

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The Emirates side had made Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig their ideal January signing, but the Bundesliga club are refusing to sell at this point while other targets such as Nico Williams and Viktor Gyokeres will not be up for sale until the summer either.

This has prompted Arsenal to make a U-turn in their thinking with 19-year-old Tel.

The former Rennes youngster is a player who has been admired by Arteta for a long time but initially had not been earmarked as a striker they would move for in January.

As the situation has evolved, though, Tel has become a logical target for the Gunners, while the Emirates could be an ideal move to rekindle the teenager’s career.

No approach has been made yet but FootballTransfers sources claim it is “likely” imminently.

READ MORE: Gunners ‘close’ to Nico Williams agreement

Why Arsenal can be perfect for Tel

Tel has found himself stuck behind Harry Kane in the Bayern pecking order, not getting a single minute of game action over the course of the last three matches.

Having wanted to stay at the Allianz Arena to fight for his place at the start of the month, he has reassessed his stance and has opened the door to leaving the club, at least temporarily.

Tel would not join Arsenal as first-choice striker ahead of Havertz, but the German is not nearly as dominant in the No.9 role at the Emirates Stadium as Kane is with Bayern. There would surely be more opportunities for the youngster to shine in North London.

While it’s unclear what form a transfer might take, a loan might suit all parties.

Kompany wants to retain the youngster in the longer term, while a temporary deal could allow Arsenal to try before making their mind up on the striker, particularly with other opportunities in the transfer market, such as Sesko and Gyokeres, becoming live in the summer.

Tel has played 12 times for Bayern this season without scoring. He has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €33m.