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Manchester United have started attempts to find out what it will take to sign Harry Kane with the growing expectation that the striker will not sign a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Telegraph Sport understand United are planning to bid for Kane and due diligence has begun on his price and how to handle negotiations with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
The prospect of United making a serious offer for Kane is a nightmare for Levy, who appears to be faced with the decision of whether to sell the Tottenham star player this summer or risk losing him on a free transfer at the end of next season.
United are Tottenham’s next opponents on Thursday night, when Levy could experience the most hostile atmosphere yet from furious fans over his handling of the club.
Kane’s contract will have 12 months remaining at the end of this season and while his advisors have not commented on his situation, Tottenham sources believe there is little chance of the striker re-engaging with Spurs this summer.
United already know how difficult it will be to negotiate with Levy and that they cannot afford a chase that lasts until the last day of the summer transfer window and risk losing other targets such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the meantime.
This is why the Old Trafford club have started working now to try and work out the best way to make an early move for Kane and give themselves time to get back to Osimhen or someone else if Levy puts his foot down and is ready. to risk England’s captain’s contract expiring.
Bayern Munich are also looking for a striker this summer, with Kane and Osimhen high on new manager Thomas Tuchel’s wish list, but it is believed Kane would prefer to stay in England and continue chasing his Premier League goalscoring record by Alan Shearer.
The price will be higher for the Premier League rivals
Sources believe that while Levy may be ready to hear an offer in the region of £80m from overseas for Kane, he will be asking at least £100m from English clubs and may even decide to reject all offers from the Premier League.
Chelsea’s move to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new permanent manager will almost certainly spark speculation about the Argentine’s attempt to reunite with Kane at Stamford Bridge. But such a scenario is considered extremely unlikely given the existing rivalry between the two clubs
Despite scoring his side’s consolation goal, Kane cut a dejected figure in Tottenham’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday, with the club’s top four hopes fading and the threat of losing the league entirely growing. European qualification.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris fears he could be sidelined for some time with the injury that forced him off at half-time against Newcastle, with sources insisting the problem was legitimate despite some pundits’ advice that should have continued.
The manager’s search will affect Kane’s future
The atmosphere at Tottenham is now being described as bad as it has ever been during Levy’s reign, with players and staff said to be losing faith and hope in the management and direction of the club.
Although he was highly regarded on a human level, the players were baffled that Antonio Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini remained at the club as interim head coach after the Italian left and were stunned by some of his decisions, including returning to the back four on Sunday. – before his departure on Monday.
Fabio Paratici resigned as football chief executive last week, meaning Levy is now leading the hunt for a new permanent head coach himself. Tottenham are believed to have made contact with Luis Enrique but he has been advised by Paratici and it is unclear whether his departure will impact interest in the Spaniard.
Julian Nagelsmann, who would be Tottenham’s first choice, has been linked with the club again since dropping out of the race for the vacant Chelsea seat. But it is believed Nagelsmann would want firm guarantees on the size of the wage bill and the quality of players he would be able to bring to Spurs as part of a squad rebuild.
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and Burnley’s Vincent Kompany are also thought to be of interest to Tottenham, along with Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou, but the uncertainty surrounding the hunt for a new manager is unlikely to help matters regarding the future by Kane.
Levy told Cambridge Union that Kane “can absolutely win a trophy” with Tottenham and would like to see a statue of the 29-year-old outside the club’s stadium one day.
“[Kane] he absolutely can win a trophy at Spurs,” Levy replied to a question. “But being a legend is also important. Kane outside our stadium.”
