Tottenham Hotspur made one of the most underrated moves of any club in European football this transfer window as an extension from a bit of business in the winter, signing high-upside left winger Mathys Tel for a meager 35 million euros on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich, who inexplicably gave up on the young talent they once believed in.
Tel clearly showed an affinity for Tottenham on and off the pitch with his desire, work rate, and connection with the fans in just six months. But Tottenham are still looking for more help on the left wing with club legend Son Heung-min's future still up in the air on an expiring contract.
Bayern Munich have their own gaping hole on the left wing, as they not only need a new starter, with Luis Diaz of Liverpool standing out as the dream option, but they also need a secondary option after selling off Tel to Tottenham.
A target on Tottenham and Chelsea's radar
According to a report from top transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Bayern Munich are showing interest in young Lyon left winger Malick Fofana, who is one of the best young players at the position in his own right. Romano writes that Fofana is seen by Bayern as an alternative to Diaz if Liverpool continue to refuse to sell the Colombian superstar, but, in all honesty, Fofana fits well as a signing in conjunction with Diaz.
Fofana is an open secret in European football and wanted by a number of elite clubs, including a couple in the Premier League. One of those clubs is Tottenham and the other is Chelsea. His 45 millino pound price tag is actually reasonable for a top young left wing talent from Lyon who was one of Ligue 1's standout attacking players last season.
Of course, when you note that Tottenham paid significantly less for Tel, though he wasn't as productive as Fofana in a tougher league last season, it makes that deal look even better for Spurs. But if Tottenham want to sign Fofana as an option alongside Tel and to add more top young talent to a crop of wingers that still needs more depth on the left, then they have to worry about Bayern's serious interest in the 20-year-old Belgian No. 11 with more Europa League goals than starts last season.
In all honesty, Tottenham will probably avoid spending 45 million pounds in a bidding war with the likes of Chelsea and Bayern for Fofana, but there aren't many great options on the left wing on the transfer market, especially not young ones with world-class upside. Tottenham already landed one in Tel, but they will have to keep looking out for market opportunities with an eye on life after Sonny.