Aston Villa keen on Bayern Munich attacker Mathys Tel | OneFootball

Aston Villa are interested in signing Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel as John Duran closes in on a move to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, according to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

The Villa Park club have quickly identified a replacement for the Colombian but must be willing to part with around €60 million to have a chance of landing the Bundesliga star.

Villa will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal for Tel, and more suitors are expected to join them in his pursuit as seven clubs are already keeping tabs on him.

The 19-year-old Frenchman has drawn comparisons to Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema due to his pace, finishing, and creative dribbling ability, and Villa could do with such a player within their ranks.

The Midlands club need quality squad depth in attack to end 2024-25 on an impressive note, and landing Tel will be a much-needed boost and addition following the imminent exit of Duran.

Villa will also look to rebuff any attempt from Arsenal to sign Ollie Watkins as the Gunners are expected to return with a bid for the England international striker before the January transfer window deadline.

Manager Unai Emery needs to hold on to the Englishman and also land another quality option in the department for the final months of the season, and the Bayern star fits the bill given his huge quality and potential.

Villa are currently in the round of 16 of the Champions League following an automatic qualification for the knockout stages, and they are eighth in the Premier League table after 23 games, four points off the top-four.

A strong finish to the season is needed if they are to play in Europe again next term, and the quality of signings they make between now and next Monday’s deadline could go a long way in helping them.