Manchester United have reportedly held ‘indirect negotiations’ ahead of a summer move for Harry Kane.
The Spurs striker is believed to be Erik ten Hag’s number one target in the summer transfer market, with the Red Devils having played the vast majority of the season without a prolific number nine.
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to adapt to Ten Hag’s demands in the opening months of the season before he was ultimately released from his contract in November, while Anthony Martial has spent the majority of the campaign on the treatment table.
Manchester United signed Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley in January, but despite showing plenty of endeavour the Dutchman has provided little end product, netting just twice in 25 appearances.
United have been linked with a number of strikers in recent months and, according to the Mail, ‘indirect’ negotiations have already began regarding a move for Harry Kane.
The 29-year-old played a pivotal role as Spurs came from two goals down to earn a point against United on Thursday evening, with the travelling fans serenading the striker with a chorus of ‘Harry Kane, we’ll see you in June’.
However, the report says that United are ‘unwilling to be dragged into an arduous drawn out negotiation’ with notoriously tough negotiator, Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy.
Despite only having a year left on his deal with the North London club, and potentially facing the prospect of losing him for free next summer, Levy is said to value Kane at £100 million.
He is also said to be ‘adamant’ that he does not want to strengthen a Premier League rival and will not do business with United or Chelsea, with the west Londoners having also struggled for goals this season and expected to appoint former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager.
As for Kane – who is currently represented by his brother and father – he is said to be looking at enlisting an agent to help ‘guide what will be a pivotal summer’, seemingly an indication that he will agitate for a move.
With United not wanting to be dragged into a drawn-out pursuit for the striker, the report names Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic as alternatives to the England international.
