Chelsea have continued their bid to recruit the best young talent in world football by making an application for Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel.
Tel has been a long-term target for the Blues, with the 19-year-old seen as one of the best young forwards in the game.
The French youth international has been seen as a star from a young age, having made a breakthrough at Rennes.
He debuted in his first season with the Ligue 1 team at the age of 16 years and 110 days, becoming the club's youngest player to play in an official match.
Tel notably broke Eduardo Camavinga's previous record, which marked a milestone on his way to Real Madrid.
The striker's time at Rennes was short, making only seven brief substitute appearances in the French top flight before moving to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022.
Chelsea have made an inquiry for Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel, valued at £40m
Tel became Rennes' youngest player when he debuted at the age of 17 in August 2021.
Chelsea would have to shell out more than £40m if they want to land the talented striker.
The German giants splashed out £25million to sign the 17-year-old, months after the striker captained France to the European Under-17 Championship title, a tournament in which he scored three goals.
“Mathys Tel is one of the greatest talents in Europe, a very fast, technically strong and versatile forward,” said Hasan Salihamidzic, then sporting director of Bayern Munich, after sealing Tel's signing.
“We have been watching him for a long time and were able to convince him to now take his next important steps in Munich with us. We are proud of this, as there were many clubs that wanted to sign him.
'The development of such an exceptional young player is an exciting project for all of us.
“Of course, Mathys needs time, he needs minutes on the field and rhythm. “We are all convinced that he has a great career ahead of him and that he will help our team.”
Tel took on the role of super substitute during his debut Bundesliga season, with 21 of his 22 appearances coming off the bench during the 2022-23 campaign.
He scored five goals and primarily acted as a center forward during his minutes, but was also used on both flanks.
Tel became the youngest goalscorer in Bayern history, after scoring two months into his Bayern career in a DFB Cup match against Viktoria Cologne.
Tel, now 19, has largely been used as an impact substitute in his Bayern Munich career.
Tel (right) is seen as one of the most attractive prospects in Europe and is a long-term target of the Blues.
He continued to make an impact playing as part of Thomas Tuchel's team last season, making just 10 starts in his 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 times.
His position, however, was altered following Bayern Munich's £100m signing of Harry Kane from Tottenham in the summer transfer window, with Tel largely operating from the left flank.
Tel has admitted that Kane has been a role model for him as he looks to develop as a striker.
“He's a great striker, he's shown that throughout his career. I'm a striker too, so he's a role model for me,” Tel said last year. It is important to have people to learn from technically and in terms of completion.
'Often I don't even have to ask him. He just comes up to me and says, “Mathys, you can do that or that.” He is a role model for me and is helping me a lot.
'He often gives me advice on what I could do differently. He'll tell me, 'That could have gone better if you had done that.' He pays a lot of attention to the small details and seeks to help me in any way he can. “He is supporting me a lot.”
Tel's progress was rewarded last March when the striker signed a new contract until the summer of 2029.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund praised the forward's progress, considering him a key piece for the club's future.
Tel has described his favorite role as being between a number 9 and a left winger.
The French under-21 international has spoken about how Harry Kane has improved his game
“Every club wants players like Mathys Tel: young, extremely talented, hungry and willing to learn,” Freund said.
“The way he plays at this level at 18 years old is something special.
'We want the right combination in our team and Mathys plays an important role here.
“He knows how FC Bayern works, he feels comfortable and at home. We will now take the next steps together and look forward to the next few years with him.”
The deal came despite reported interest from Man United and Chelsea, while Tel had previously been linked with Tottenham when Bayern were in talks for Kane in the summer of 2023.
His future has been the subject of recent debate, with Tel being limited to just 12 appearances in all competitions this season, playing just 351 minutes in total.
Tel has described his favorite role as being between number nine and left winger, and the Frenchman named Theirry Henry among his ideals.
Speaking to the Bundesliga in 2023, Tel cited his pace, finishing and dribbling among his strengths, but acknowledged that he needed to improve his spatial awareness, admitting that he often tried to do things faster.
Bayern's interest in Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku could help the Blues sign for Tel
Bayern Munich bosses have insisted Tel remains part of the club's long-term plans.
Tel is usually seen playing with a bandage on his right hand after a minor injury.
He revealed that he chose to keep the bandage as a good luck charm as it performed well when worn.
The France under-21 international reportedly held talks with Kompany last month to express his desire to succeed at the club, despite having made just three starts this season.
The opportunity to play more regularly in London may attract the youngster, with Chelsea expected to have to pay more than £40m to secure his signature.
Mail Sport have reported that Bayern are understood to have been monitoring the situation of Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku, although the Blues have so far not discussed or offered any swap deal.
It is understood that Nkunku would be open to joining Bayern if the opportunity arose.
Bayern chiefs sought to underline on Tuesday that Tel remains part of their long-term plans.
'We have a very good dialogue because he is a great talent who should take on an important role for us. We have had many conversations. Our clear goal is for Mathys to make a breakthrough with us,” said Freund.
Indira Ampiot won Miss France in 2023 and is reportedly the woman Tel is now dating
The couple appeared to confirm their relationship after sharing a vacation photo on Instagram.
Ampiot, 20, has 415,000 followers on Instagram and is in line for the Miss Universe pageant
Ampiot, who is from Guadeloupe, revealed last year that he had moved to London.
'Obviously we will listen if a player is unhappy, then we will talk about it. We want to carry out our plan with Mathys.'
Off the court, it was revealed in November that Tel was dating a Miss Universe beauty pageant candidate.
Bild reported that the star has been dating Indira Ampiot, who was crowned Miss France 2023.
Ampiot represented France at the Miss Universe pageant on November 16, an international beauty event that brings together 130 women from around the world, and placed in the top 30.
The couple appeared to confirm their relationship last month after sharing photos from a mid-season vacation in the German desert.
Ampiot, who is from Guadeloupe, revealed last year that he had moved to London.