Manchester United have held a longstanding interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane but the London club’s resistance has meant that a deal has always been difficult to broker.
Erik ten Hag has been keen on signing a striker since he took charge last year but the urgent need for strengthening in other areas has halted a move for a forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was United’s top scorer last season, has recently left the club and Ten Hag is looking to sign a short-term solution in January. Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, currently on loan at Besiktas, has been heavily linked.
Kane has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Tottenham and the England striker would be a long-term investment for United and now, journalist Ben Jacobs has named the Old Trafford club as one of two Premier League sides who could make a move.
The reporter claims that Bayern Munich face a disadvantage due to the financial aspect of any potential deal and also points out that United may face one crucial obstacle in any pursuit.
“There are two issues – the transfer fee is difficult for Bayern, and Kane himself doesn’t necessarily want to leave the Premier League, where he feels settled,” Jacobs told CaughtOffside.
“I think Manchester United and Chelsea could come into the conversation. The Chelsea ownership are huge admirers of Harry Kane, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be bought or sold.
“Sometimes the way clubs operate sets a marker – with Christian Pulisic, for example, when he was offered potentially an opportunity at Manchester United and Newcastle and wanted to loan him, Todd Boehly made it clear he didn’t want to loan the player to a rival even with an option to buy.
“When you set that marker and say you don’t want to do business with Premier League rivals, if you then come calling and you’ve said that over another deal, it can be that bit harder to get the deal done.”
Jacobs makes it clear that United could face difficulties due to Tottenham’s infamous stance of not doing business with rivals and that has been a sticking point in the past.
A more lenient view from Tottenham would most likely have seen Kane join the Reds in the past but with just 18 months remaining on his deal, they could be more open to negotiating.
Kane could leave Tottenham for free in 2024 and considering his value, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be desperate to avoid that.
The assumption that Kane would want to join MU is puzzling, why?