PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester United give up on their transfer pursuit of Harry Kane; Madrid in pole position
The English club know that Daniel Levy will not sell to a team from the same league and they are now looking for an alternative.
Harry Kane is Europe’s most wanted player: after Haaland and Mbappé, he is one of the most in-form strikers across the continent. The English forward is, crucially, one of the big ‘transferable’ players this summer as well, given that moving the Norwegian monster and the French wizard from their respective clubs would be impossible.
Another player who was on United’s list was Napoli’s Nigerian forward, Osimhen, but the whopping great price tag that the Italian club slapped on him meant Manchester United and ten Hag had to back away. Manchester United, along with Real Madrid, is the team who has pushed hardest to secure the services of the Spurs striker, but now it seems that the English club are starting to lose hope.
Kane could leave on a free in 2024
According to reports in England, negotiating an agreement with a the London-based side for Kane is seen as an impossibility for Manchester United. Levy, top dog on the Spurs board, does not want to send his star player to a direct rival in the same league. Levy is known by all as a greased-up, slippery negotiator, and even blocked Kane’s exit a couple of summers ago, that time to Manchester City.
Kane only has one more year remaining on his current deal in England, which means that Levy could well lose their all-time top scorer for free if he decides to hang on and does not sign a new deal. Even if the player wanted to play for Manchester United, he would be unable to as the club president would deny every English approach for the player.
Madrid may not be able to afford Kane
This attitude from all sides in London could be beneficial for Real Madrid, who would not have to compete with another club for their attacking target. The price, therefore, may drop to somewhere under $100 million for the 30-year-old, one which Madrid president Florentino Pérez sees as excessive: anything over that figure and Madrid would not be able to amortise the fee.
This lack of elbow room from Madrid to afford the player leaves Levy between a rock, a hard place and a brick wall covered in spikes: accept Kane either stays at Spurs and leaves next year on a free; sell to Manchester United, a direct rival; or sell to Madrid for a lower price. Your move, Daniel.
Which striker will Manchester United sign?
Manchester United, as a result of the situation, are already looking for alternatives to the striker-shaped hole at the top of their team. The favourite to dofill the void is Danish forward, Rasmus Højlund. The young Atalanta man was one of the surprises of Serie A this season, managing 16 goals and 7 assists. The Manchester club are also in an advanced position to sign Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount. And so, they have given up on Kane, leaving Madrid in the lead for Spurs’ main man.
