Manchester United are anticipated to step up their attempts to acquire Harry Kane, who is said to be at the top of a shortlist of six strikers who will be sought after by the Red Devils this summer. According to multiple reports, United fear Tottenham will be once again reluctant to let go Harry Kane, and as a result, the Carabao Cup champions have prepared a fall-back shortlist of six forwards.
Harry Kane is expected to quit Tottenham after the team’s struggles this season, as United manager Erik ten Hag is claimed to be “obsessed” with the England captain. However, as it has been proved time and time again, Tottenham will not be a simple team to deal with, specially due to their stubborn chairman Daniel Levy who has previously rejected a £100 million offer for the striker from Manchester City.
Man United have plans in place with Harry Kane alternative
Harry Kane’s 28 Premier League goals this season for Spurs are his most since 2017/18, and he is expected to demand a sum of £100 million if he is allowed to leave Spurs. The 29-year-old England international is at a pivotal point in his career as he pursues one last significant deal.
One person who has worked closely with Levy reportedly quipped that United would have to “kill him” in order to sign Kane. However, after defeating Chelsea 4-1 to earn a spot in the Champions League, the Red Devils are averse to becoming involved in a protracted transfer speculation involving the 30-goal striker.
If Harry Kane is not achievable, they will instead focus on a shortlist of six strikers. According to The Guardian, Victor Osimhen of Napoli tops the United shortlist of Harry Kane alternatives. and Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta are all on United’s short list. Though another costly alternative, Osimhen at only 24 years old, has youth on his side.
He is a marketable athlete who rose to fame in Italy as a result of his title-winning performances with Napoli, during which the Nigerian scored 24 goals and drew interest from teams around Europe, including PSG. Hojlund, a 20-year-old Danish striker who has been touted as the “next Erling Haaland,” is the less expensive choice at the other end of the spectrum. He has eight goals this season in Serie A, and Atalanta has put a price tag of almost £50 million.
Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt is another player on United’s radar. The 24-year-old has had a fantastic season in the Bundesliga, scoring 14 goals and dishing out 13 assists. He scored in the World Cup semi-final in Qatar. Furthermore, Goncalo Ramos of Benfica and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax are reportedly favourites of Ten Hag.
Both players have reached double digits in their league seasons, but Kudus has been most productive while playing off the right side, making him a flexible option. Evan Ferguson, a rising star for Brighton, is also sought after, although a transfer looks very improbable considering the contract extension he signed last month.
One of the most important factors for Ten Hag is Harry Kane’s relationship with United’s leading scorer Marcus Rashford on the international stage. Furthermore, The Daily Mail reports that United are preparing a £55 million bid for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount after early negotiations, suggesting that the English link may be a recurring theme in United’s intentions.