New arrival Tel never rejected Spurs - Postecoglou

Tel made 14 appearances for Bayern Munich this season prior to joining Tottenham but failed to score

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has denied reports Mathys Tel initially rejected the club before his deadline day move to north London.

Last week, reports emerged the 19-year-old French forward refused to move to Spurs after meeting chairman Daniel Levy in Germany.

But Tel was pictured flying to London on Monday before completing a transfer from Bayern Munich, joining initially on loan but with Spurs holding a £47.5m option to buy in the summer.

When asked about whether Tel rejected Spurs, Postecoglou said: "I think people need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old who has to make a major decision for his career and it's not that he rejected us or rejected anyone else.

"I think he just wanted to be comfortable with his decision. I don't think he wanted to be pushed in a certain direction and it's credit to him.

"I had a conversation with him and it was purely around the football and I think he'll find a really good place for him here."

Postecoglou has previously said he only wants to sign players committed to the club's project, despite them currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

When asked if he felt Tel was committed to Spurs, the Australian added: "Yes, 100%. I am more than 100% sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything. He had other options so it gave me more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.

"He is very ambitious. He has a great self-belief and confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us which is great vindication of what we are doing."

Tel could make his debut as Spurs defend a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night in the second leg of the Carabao Cup.

Postecoglou confirmed Tel and new defensive signing Kevin Danso will be available but key defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero remain out.

'I didn't bring him here for six months'

Postecolgou also made himself clear when asked if Tel will stay beyond his six-month loan, simply replying: "He'll be a Tottenham player, mate. He'll be a Tottenham player.

"I think he'll show everyone he's going to be a Tottenham player in the next six months. I didn't bring him here for six months."

The comments were in response to reports the France Under-21 forward could 'veto' a permanent move, with Spurs certain a six-year deal is locked in should they decide to sign him.

Postecoglou spoke to Tel for "a couple of hours" to encourage him to join Tottenham.

He joked: "I felt that if I kept him on the phone long enough, I would wear him down. He was falling asleep by the end.

"I got a sense pretty early on that there was a connection there and he was hearing what he wanted to hear.

"I think it is a credit to him that, rather than just jump at what came at him, he was very thorough in the way he made his decision."