By James Robson
After links to Bayern Munich, Harry Kane returns to work at Tottenham this week for pre-season training.
The uncertainty surrounding the England captain, however, looks set to rumble on through this transfer window.
New Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou held his first news conference on Monday since joining from Celtic and was immediately asked about Kane’s future as the striker enters the final year of his contract at the London club.
“I haven’t had any assurances (about his future) and I wouldn’t expect any assurances,” the Australian manager said. “He’s one of the premier strikers in the world and I want him involved.”
Postecoglou, known for being a blunt speaker, plans to hold a meeting with Kane this week amid reports the captain is open to moving to German champion Bayern.
“My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful and I’ve got no doubts that’s what he wants as well,” Postecoglou said. “What I want is to introduce myself to Harry and give him my vision of the football club and get a sense from him on what he thinks the club needs to do to be successful, and walk out on that training pitch and try to make it happen.”
Ange Postecoglou addresses the media in London for the first time as Tottenham manager.Credit: PA
Tottenham are said to be determined to reject any bid for the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, even though he will become a free agent at the end of the season. Spurs want to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
Bayern, however, may test that resolve, having reportedly made two bids, with the latest one valued at £68.5 million ($130 million).
They are likely to have to go much higher than that if they are to stand any chance of tempting Spurs to cash in on their iconic forward. The question is whether Bayern’s initial move will tempt others to the table.
Manchester United have long been linked with Kane, and want to sign a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo this off-season.
If Postecoglou is unable to tempt Harry Kane into signing a new deal, the club’s all-time leading scorer can leave for free at the end of the season.Credit: Getty
Real Madrid need to replace the departed Karim Benzema and have also been mentioned in connection with Kane.
Then there is Paris Saint-Germain, who are intent on selling Kylian Mbappe unless the World Cup-winning forward signs a new contract.
That means four of Europe’s biggest clubs are potentially in the market for a top-class centre-forward this summer, which could play into Tottenham’s hands if they took the pragmatic decision to let Kane go.
It has been claimed that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s preference would be to sell abroad if he was to sell at all. The theory goes he would even be prepared to accept a smaller transfer fee, rather than see a club great playing for another English team.
There is some suggestion Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would take less money to avoid selling his star player to a domestic rival.Credit: Getty Images
That would take United out of the running. And while manager Erik ten Hag is an admirer of England’s all-time leading scorer, there has been a growing expectation that he will look elsewhere.
Madrid are likely to be leading the chase for Mbappe, having tried to sign him in 2021. But the France international has said he plans to see out the final year of his contract. PSG’s transfer strategy is heavily dependent on Mbappe’s movement or non-movement.
Bayern have acted quickest but, even in the final year of Kane’s contract, their second bid looks low. Levy has gained a fierce reputation for his negotiating skills and managed to keep Kane when he was widely expected to join Manchester City two years ago.
Tottenham’s bargaining position is weaker as they risk losing one of the finest strikers in history for nothing.
Tottenham’s opening Premier League fixtures (all times AEST)
- Brentford (A) 11pm Sunday, August 13
- Manchester United (H) 2.30am Sunday, August 20
- Bournemouth (A) 9.30pm Saturday, August 26
- Burnley (A) 12am Sunday, September 3
- Sheffield United (H) 12am Sunday, September 17
- Arsenal (A) 11pm Sunday, September 24
In a year, Kane will likely be able to take his pick of any of Europe’s leading clubs. That could see him stay in England where he would have the chance to fulfil his ambition of surpassing Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 Premier League goals.
While Levy might not want to be the man who sold Kane, the prospect of losing him for nothing would surely be worse.
That is why interest from Bayern may be more tempting than Tottenham are ready to admit — especially if it draws out other bidders and ultimately drives up his price.
In an ideal world for Levy and Tottenham fans, the meeting with Postecoglou this week will convince Kane he can achieve his ambitions of winning silverware right where he is. That despite the London club having had five managers in the last four years and failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, success is within reach.
AP
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