Bayern Munich just dropped a shocking amount on a 17-year-old

The hype around Mathys Tel is real. Will it be justified?

Bayern Munich signing a promising teenager from France would have normally been a routine transaction, but the fee the German side paid for Mathys Tel made Monday’s transfer something different entirely.

Bayern paid Rennes an initial €20 million for the 17-year-old, with add-ons capable of taking the deal to €28.5m total.

Should Bayern pay the full amount for Tel, it would make him the most expensive 17-year-old of all time, surpassing Borussia Dortmund’s €25m outlay on Jude Bellingham in 2020.

So, will Tel live up to his fee?

Based on his track record of senior-team action, it’s impossible to say. Tel made his professional debut with Rennes last season but across 10 appearances, he played less than 100 minutes.

But it is at the youth level where Tel has marked himself as one of Europe’s best prospects. Earlier this season, he captained France’s Under-17 side to a European title, scoring three goals in the tournament.

Tel has been favorably compared to France legend Thierry Henry, due to his prolific scoring and his ability to break loose from defenders.

Still, even for a club of Bayern’s stature, paying nearly €30m for a teenager who is completely unproven at senior level is a major risk.

Perhaps Bayern looked at its Bundesliga rival Dortmund for inspiration. After paying a record fee for Bellingham, Dortmund now has one of the top midfielders in Europe who, at age 19, is likely worth at least four times what it paid.

Should Tel be anywhere near the value that Bellingham was, then Bayern may have a bargain on its hands.

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