15 July 2023 , 18:28
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Harry Kane prefers to join Manchester United this summer but it is Paris Saint-Germain who are threatening to hijack Bayern Munich’s bid for the Tottenham striker.
Kane’s representatives held a meeting with PSG transfer chiefs last month and there appears to be a concentrated effort from the French club to land the striker. It comes after Lionel Messi exited the French capital with doubts over the futures of both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
The England international had headed United boss Erik ten Hag’s target list this summer as he is on red alert to sign a central striker at Old Trafford. United are desperate to sign an elite central striker and Ten Hag believed Kane’s contractual situation – which expires next summer – could facilitate a deal.
However despite Kane’s preference for a move to United, it is outlined by the Independent how the club’s transfer funds must be directed elsewhere – having signed Mason Mount and closing in on Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana – with the club having a limited budget prior to sales.
Daniel Levy is heavily reluctant to sell Kane and that feeling would be multiplied for the interest of any direct Premier League rivals. A move to a continental club may be more likely but is far from a formality.
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It had appeared that Bayern were leading the race to land the striker. The German champions are refusing to give up on their pursuit of Kane despite having had a £60million-plus offer turned down, while another £70m proposal was not enough to tempt Spurs.
Kane - who scored 30 Premier League goals last season - is out of contract next year (Getty Images)Have Your Say! For which club will Kane be playing this season? Tell us what you think here.
However, the latest report indicates that PSG are stepping up their interest in the 29-year-old and believe they can offer a financial package that would be tempting to both Spurs and Kane to facilitate such a move.
The north London club are now risking Kane leaving as a free agent at the end of the campaign. The striker is not agitating for a move and it may be that this factor strengthens Spurs’s negotiating position as they are aware that there will be minimal disruption caused by his possible stay.
New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said earlier this week: "He [Kane] is one of the premier strikers in the world and I want him involved. My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful, and I’ve got no doubts that what he wants as well."
Kane has been in pre-season training for Spurs (Alex Morton/Tottenham Hotspur F.C./REX/Shutterstock)On Saturday, former Bayern president Uli Hoeness said: "He (Kane) has very clearly signalled that his decision was made. If he keeps his word, we'll get him. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks to him regularly.
" Tottenham will have to give in. Levy is clever. First we have to get him to name a price. He's playing for time. He's a great professional. I appreciate him very much. But on the other side (Bayern), there aren't people who have been doing this since yesterday."
Hoeness added: "He wants to play in Europe. Tottenham won't be there next season, unlike our club. He now has another chance to join a top European club.
"What we really liked about Kane is that his agents, his father and brother are very pleasant people. So far they always stood by their promise. If that stays the case, then it's okay."