How could Harry Kane stop Real Madrid from signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland?

Real Madrid need a new striker, both in the short term and in the medium term, and their urgent need to sign one this summer could complicate their plan to tempt number one target Erling Haaland to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in 2024. Los Blancos are going to have to be cute in the transfer market. Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane is the man they most admire for the here and now, and there are both pros and cos to his signing.

Kane as a Haaland stop-gap at Real Madrid?

The main downsides are that the England striker wouldn’t be willing to be a stop-gap on a short-term contract or step aside when Haaland potentially arrives. And with Karim Benzema likely to continue for at least another year, there is a danger of there being too many cooks on the Madrid roster.

Who will play back-up to Karim Benzema?

The club are well aware they have some big decisions to make. Mariano Díaz’s departure will free up a spot for a back-up striker; boss Carlo Ancelotti has stated “it’s obvious” a new one is needed. Youngster Álvaro Rodríguez is being touted as third-choice number nine for next season, with Benzema still expected to be the preferred pick. Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus and Napoli’s Kvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the host of names that have been linked to initially play a supporting role to the Frenchman.

Why signing Kane makes sense

Despite the reservations surrounding Kane, on another level, he’s the perfect fit. Tottenham look to be in a very precarious position with a view to next season (as things stand, they won’t qualify for Europe) and the player already handed in a transfer request last summer before eventually agreeing to stay.

Chairman Daniel Levy proved to be the biggest obstacle to Kane leaving, rejecting a €150 million offer from Manchester City. This year, with the team having failed to qualify for the Champions League, things appear to be different. And given that the striker’s contact ends in 2024, they will most likely have to sell in the coming weeks to avoid losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Is Kane too good for what Real Madrid need?

The move would make financial sense for Real Madrid but what about in a sporting one? There can be little doubt about Kane’s numbers, with the soon-to-be 30-year-old having scored 38 goals in 72 European appearances for Spurs. He’s a striker of the very highest calibre...which is part of the issue. Would he be prepared to share game time with Benzema and then, potentially, Haaland (or even Kylian Mbappé instead of the Norwegian)?

The transfer merry-go-round keeps spinning. Which striker will get off at the Santiago Bernabéu?