VIDEO: Mathys Tel says goodbye! Bayern Munich attacker waves to fans in apparent farewell after being substituted amid transfer links to Man Utd, Chelsea & Tottenham

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany handed Tel a rare start during Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava. The French forward spent over an hour on the pitch and after he was subbed off he waved to the fans at the Allianz Arena and expressed his gratitude for their support, further fuelling rumours of an imminent departure.

Speaking to DAZN before the match, Kompany dismissed suggestions that his decision to start Tel was linked to the rumours surrounding the player’s future. Instead, the Belgian coach insisted that his team selection was based solely on performance and merit.

"These are stories from outside the club. It has nothing to do with my job. Whoever deserves to play will play. I have no ulterior motives," said Kompany.

“He's just earned it. It's important that we have players in attack who can score goals. We have a lot of players who can do that, but Mathys deserved it today.”

Tel’s availability has caught the attention of several clubs, with Chelsea reportedly inquiring about his situation. Meanwhile, Manchester United are also monitoring the player closely. With Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are looking to strengthen their attack, and Tel’s ability to play across the frontline makes him a valuable addition if Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho leaves Old Trafford.

Tel joined Bayern from Rennes in 2022 in a deal worth £20 million ($25m). He quickly showcased his potential, delivering an impressive 2022-23 campaign where he made 41 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists across all competitions.

However, his role in the squad has diminished significantly this season. The young forward has been restricted to just 14 appearances, with only four starts to his name. Frustrated with his lack of playing time, Tel is now pushing for an exit before the transfer window closes. While Kompany has publicly dismissed transfer speculation, the forward’s apparent farewell to fans suggests that a move could indeed be on the horizon.