Erik ten Hag might have accepted Wout Weghorst as his striker signing this month, but has reportedly set his eyes on Harry Kane for the summer. Manchester United have been left without a proper No9 ever since their topscorer from last season, Cristiano Ronaldo was sacked in November last year. Ten Hag has repeatedly admitted that the club wants a new striker to lead their line, but has to be the right player at the right price.
While Harry Kane was nowhere near a possibility this month, United signed the Netherlands’ World Cup hero Wout Weghorst. But Ten Hag is far from content with the towering striker, and has asked the club to right away scoop in Kane from Tottenham. Moreover, with the 29-year-old entering the final 12 months of his current deal in the summer, Tottenham will have a last shot at earning a significant transfer fee from the striker’s sale.
Tottenham value Harry Kane at £85m with United showing strong interest
Getting Harry Kane has been a dream for Manchester United, which was never turned into a reality due to varying reasons. However, that could be achieved this summer, with Ten Hag steering the Red Devils on the path of reclaiming their lost glory. Kane had reportedly rebuffed United’s offers in the past given their struggling form and lack of silverware. But the England captain winning no trophies at Tottenham either has left him in desperation to leave the club.
Moreover, Harry Kane wanted to be a regular Champions League player, which was more attainable at Tottenham than United. That could change next season as well, with United placed in the top four and in contention to qualify for the elite European competition over Tottenham who are sat fifth in the table, six points behind the Devils with having played a game more.
Tottenham could miss out on the Champions League next season, which could see the end of Kane’s patience and loyalty. The striker is entering his 30s, and despite scoring a mammoth 281 goals in 474 senior career appearances, Kane is yet to lift a trophy. While United too are yet to taste a piece of silverware since 2017, they are anyhow more likely to win one before Tottenham.
All the factors considered, the cherry on top of the cake for Harry Kane at United will be that he will enjoy the same status at Old Trafford, as he does now at Spurs, as the club’s main-man. Ten Hag personally craves for Kane, who guarantees 20+ plus goals per season for at least the next 3 to 4 years. With his contract expiring as well in the summer of 2024, they could get their dream striker for as much as £85m.
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy knows he has lost the chance for getting in the excess of £100m for Kane after rejecting a £150m offer from Manchester City in the summer of 2021. As a result, Levy has placed a £85m price tag on Kane, while being aware that he is not only a subject of interest to United, but also German giants Bayern Munich, who have openly teased a move for him as their Robert Lewandowski replacement.
However, with the Champions League football being Harry Kane’s ultimate preference, United just need to ensure that they achieve a top four finish this season, which appears highly likely. While Tottenham manager Antonio Conte was considered as the x-factor which kept Kane tied to Spurs, the Italian too may not be at the club for a long time. And Tottenham look set on missing the Champions League as well next season, which could mean Harry Kane’s journey with the club ends in the summer this year.