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EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United eye an impressive summer release for Harry Kane as Erik ten Hag looks to bring in a new number 9 as a top priority, while Tottenham’s star striker enters last year from his north London contract.
- Erik ten Hag is keen to bring Harry Kane to Manchester United in the summer
- It comes as the Red Devils intensify their search for a new number nine.
- There has also been interest in the 29-year-old striker from Bayern Munich.
- He is currently 62 goals away from Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League record.
Manchester United are interested in a summer mega swoop for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Erik ten Hag has put a new number 9 at the top of his summer recruitment plans and England captain Kane is among the club’s preferred options. Kane’s future is once again preparing to become one of the summer transfer sagas.
Sportsmail has learned that United bosses have already begun exploring the details attached to a potential move for Kane at the end of the season. Sources have indicated that Kane is open to joining United, news that will cheer the Old Trafford bosses.
Manchester United seek deal for Tottenham star striker Harry Kane
It comes as Erik ten Hag makes it his priority to bring a new number nine to Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old enters the last 12 months of his contract at the end of the season. Tottenham would like to extend Kane’s current contract, but there is negativity about their chances of persuading the striker to sign new terms.
How Tottenham finish the season, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League, will be a factor in the north London club tempting their talismanic striker to recommit.
That leaves chairman Daniel Levy with the prospect of finally considering offers for the club’s prized asset or risk losing it for nothing next year. However, Spurs are ready to place a minimum price of £85m on Kane.
The 29-year-old will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is not expected to let Kane go for less than £85m
That figure is likely to rise for a rival Premier League side given Levy’s reluctance to sell Kane to a local rival. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been credited with taking serious interest in Kane in recent weeks.
Interestingly, Bayern had great interest in Kane prior to this season and inquired about his availability, but he ultimately decided to pull out due to rising costs.
However, Kane has set his sights on breaking the Premier League goalscoring record and is understood to prefer to stay in England. The striker has scored 198 top-flight goals, 62 shy of Alan Shearer’s all-time record during the Premier League era.
He is currently 62 goals away from Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League record.
United know they would get a proven Premier League striker with Kane. But he turns 30 before the start of next season, and any sale value would be a fraction of the initial outlay.
However, United have shown in the past that they are prepared to spend big money on players who are considered the finished item. United spent £70m on Casemiro last summer, awarding the 30-year-old a five-year contract worth £350,000 a week.
Last season they signed 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and in 2012 they signed 29-year-old Robin van Persie from Arsenal, who played a key role in United’s reclaiming the title.
United will not be averse to signing an older player after the success of 30-year-old Casemiro
But Kane isn’t the only player on United’s radar; They are also interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, 24, and Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, just 19, both of whom appear to represent a more credible long-term investment.
It is a choice that United will deliberate; whether to buy a younger striker who would present the club with more longevity and potential sale value; or go for Kane, who provides a virtual goal guarantee but is entering his 30s.
Ten Hag’s decision to sign Wout Weghorst on loan until the end of the season signals acceptance that the United manager feels his team lack a true goalscoring objective, a role Kane has mastered.
Antonio Conte’s future at Tottenham is uncertain after a run of poor results this season
There is no obligation in United’s deal with Burnley to buy Weghorst in the summer, leaving the club free to sign a new striker. Kane has made no secret of his desire to compete for major trophies, pushing to join Manchester City in the summer of 2021.
United’s upward trajectory under Ten Hag suggests they will have a good chance of finally ending their trophy drought at Old Trafford.
Tottenham are currently in a transition period under Antonio Conte, whose future at the club is uncertain with his contract expiring at the end of the season.