Bayern close in on Tel, the 'biggest striker talent in Europe'

Bayern Munich are hoping to finalise a €25 million move for Stade Rennais forward Mathys Tel as they begin life without Robert Lewandowski.

Tel is just 17 years old, but featured off the bench seven times for Rennes in Ligue 1 last season and scored nine goals in eight games for their academy side during the campaign.

Tel has been pursued by Bayern for some weeks, with Rennes holding out for a large fee, despite several bids from the Bavarian outfit.

Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga 10 seasons in a row, have been dealt a blow for their chances next season following Lewandowski's exit. The 33-year-old has joined Barcelona for €50m, with Bayern accepting the Blaugrana's final offer after weeks of discussions between the two clubs.

However, while they've lost their talisman the Bavarians have been very active in the transfer market themselves, bringing in Sadio Mane from Liverpool, Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, and both Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax.

According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Bayern believe Tel is the "best striker talent in Europe," and are pushing for a deal to be completed soon.

Bayern's previous bids

The German champions made an initial offer of €7m plus €10m in bonuses, which was rejected, before bidding €22.5m, which was also turned down by Rennes.

They are still intent on landing the teenage striker and bringing him to Bavaria, but are aware that Rennes want a sizeable fee for their young star.

The likes of Stuttgart's Sasa Kalajdzic have also been linked with a move to Bayern to fill the void left following Lewandowski's departure, but Tel is the man that Hasan Salihamidzic is focusing on after landing De Ligt from Juventus for €80m.

Bayern are hopeful that a deal will be agreed with Rennes in the next few days, likely wary that they risk missing out on other targets should Rennes keep rejecting their offers.