Manchester United are being increasingly linked with Tottenham striker Harry Kane this summer, with manager Louis van Gaal keen to strengthen his ageing strike-force with young homegrown blood. The England international, 21, has enjoyed a standout campaign in the Premier League for Spurs, scoring 31 goals in 51 games in all competitions, and could well be on his way out ahead of the new season.
Tottenham are reported to want more than £40M for the striker, which United may be reticent in paying in full. Van Gaal allowed the likes of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez (on loan to Real Madrid) to leave in his debut season as manager, and brought in Radamel Falcao on loan in their place. The Colombian endured a difficult spell in England, and didn’t have his buying option exercised as a result. And with the out-of-form Robin van Persie getting older, the Premier League giants need a new young striker.
Harry Kane was largely unknown at the start of last season, but made a name for himself after forcing his way into the first-team at White Hart Lane. His eye for a goal, aerial ability, quick feet, and ability to play as a lone striker saw him take the division by storm. It’s such attributes that have attracted the interest of Van Gaal, who is eyeing up a host of strikers this summer. Former PSV forward Memphis Depay was already brought in, and Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling has been linked too.
Tottenham are desperate to hold on to their star players, as they are pushing for a top-four finish next season, so they won’t let Harry Kane leave without a fight. He signed a five-and-a-half year deal earlier in the year, which means the ball is in the club’s court should another side come in for him, but the reality is that Spurs are a selling club, and that won’t change for the time being.
Owner Daniel Levy has been forced to let a host of talented individuals leave the club down the years due to the financial muscle of other European outfits, with Gareth Bale the most recent departure to Real Madrid for a world record fee. Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov, and Michael Carrick have been the biggest other high-profile exits, and the Londoners have two players in particular they don’t want added to the list – Kane and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Would Harry Kane be a good signing for Manchester United?
