REVEALED: Harry Kane still hoping Manchester United revive their bid to sign him this summer…
- Man United ended their interest in Harry Kane over Tottenham’s £100 million demand
- The Red Devils have now turned their attention to Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund
- Kane remains hopeful that Man United can still make an offer this summer
Harry Kane is still hoping that Manchester United will revive their bid to sign him this summer if Tottenham chief Daniel Levy lowers his £100 million demand.
Playing at Old Trafford on Monday night, the England captain scored twice in a resounding 7-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over North Macedonia.
But the chances of it becoming Kane’s permanent home depend on the notoriously stubborn Levy softening his stance.
United have made it clear they will not do business for £100 million for a player who turns 30 next month and has only one year left on his contract with Spurs. The club have for now ended their interest in Kane and moved on to more achievable targets such as Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
However, a price closer to £80m could lure United back to the negotiating table, with manager Erik ten Hag preferring to sign a striker with a proven track record in the Premier League.
Manchester United ended their interest in Harry Kane over Tottenham’s £100 million demands
The captain of England continues to hope that the Red Devils can still bring a possible transfer to life
Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund is considered a more viable target for Manchester United
Kane fits the bill perfectly with 213 top-flight goals – second only to Alan Shearer – and a record 58 for England.
Chelsea is another option for Kane, but he is unlikely to tarnish his legacy at Tottenham by moving to Stamford Bridge, even if it means teaming up with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Levy has also made it clear that he does not want to sell Kane to an English club to weaken Spurs and strengthen one of their rivals.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are among the European clubs monitoring the situation, but they too are hesitant to pay too much for a player who will be available for nothing a year from now.
Kane’s clear preference is for United and he hopes Levy will relent rather than have to write off £80m.
The feeling on all sides, however, is that Levy will stand his ground – as he did when he turned down a £125m offer from Manchester City two years ago – and that Kane will have to wait another year to leave on a free transfer.
United are also reluctant to commit to a summer transfer deadlock with Levy as their move to sign a new striker will have implications for other deals. Hojlund is seen as a more realistic option if Atalanta cuts the £86 million asking price significantly.
Ten Hag wants Mason Mount and United to be prepared to raise their bid for the Chelsea player to nearly £50 million.
Erik ten Hag, right, may have to look for a new goalkeeper, David de Gea threatens to leave
Fred is one of many players Man United are willing to listen to offers this summer
The increasingly likely scenario of goalkeeper David de Gea leaving as a free agent next week means that Ten Hag may also be in the market for a new number 1.
The three deals will deplete United’s transfer budget – believed to be in the region of £120m – and make further signings contingent on player sales.
It is clear that United will listen to offers for Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, Anthony Elanga and Brandon Williams.
Fred was linked again on Tuesday with a £20 million transfer to Fulham, while Zidane Iqbal is set to join FC Utrecht for £850,000.