Real Madrid certainly have shown a great eye for identifying talent in recent times. Unfortunately, it looks like they missed out on a spectacular wonderkid, despite showing interest in him. He ended up joining Bayern Munich instead and appears to be having his breakout season this time around.
The player in question is 18-year-old Mathys Tel. That is a name football fans should remember because he certainly looks like the next big thing.
He has six goals to his name already this season despite being mostly used as a substitute by Thomas Tuchel. He is averaging a goal contribution about every 42 minutes in this campaign. That is remarkable for someone who is still just 18 and if he continues performing like this, he will become a starter for Bayern Munich sooner or later.
Tel joined Bayern Munich from Rennes in the summer of 2022 for a transfer fee believed to be around €30 million. Real Madrid were believed to have been interested as well, but it seems that the Frenchman had his eyes set on the Bundesliga champions.
€30 million player rejected Real Madrid for Bayern Munich
As reported by AS, Tel said in an interview with CARRE:
"“Real Madrid or Bayern? It is true that many clubs wanted me in 2022. It is very true. But I was only focused on Bayern, I didn’t have another opportunity because I appreciated their project and the people behind the project.”"
There is absolutely zero doubt that Tel is a supreme talent. He might prove to be one of the best players in the game for years to come if his development goes according to plan.
The move to Bayern Munich seems to be paying off as well, as he is already making a name for himself on the big stage. Tel has come on to score in both of the club’s Champions League games this season till now.
Tel’s versatility will help him as well. The 18-year-old has the ability to play as a centre-forward and on both flanks as well. Someone like the French youngster would have been a great signing for Real Madrid but unfortunately it was not to be.