Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham will not necessarily sign a direct replacement for Harry Kane before the transfer window’s deadline.
Kane departed Spurs to sign for Bayern Munich in a deal which could reach £100m including add-ons last week, with the 30-year-old departing as the club’s all-time record goalscorer with 280 goals in all competitions.
Postecoglou insisted last week that he had been prepared for the England captain’s exit, but says Spurs will not necessarily re-enter the market for a direct replacement. However, the Australian believes there are areas Spurs can strengthen all over the pitch.
“Not necessarily. I know that’s the obvious place people look at because of recent outgoings but we’d been planning for that for a while,” Postecoglou said on Kane’s exit, at a pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s clash with Manchester United this weekend.
“There’s still areas we can strengthen in all our lines: defensively, midfield, up front. Again that’s not just bringing players in for the sake of it. They have to fit the profile we’re looking at.
“We’ve purposefully gone a bit younger because we want to build a team here. It’s not about putting the finishing touches on something, we’re building something here. So that’s the mind of profiles we’re looking at.”
Postecoglou will take charge of his first home game against Manchester United this weekend and was full of praise for opposite number Erik ten Hag ahead of the clash.
“Yeah, [I rate him] very highly. I’ve followed him from his days at Ajax and previous to that – he built a great team there. You can see at Manchester United he’s made an impact at a club where it’s been very difficult to make an impact since Sir Alex retired.
“It’s not the easiest job in the world, and I’ve got a great respect for him. As I do for all managers. I think to get to this space when you’re managing in the Premier League, it requires a fair bit of let’s just say, a body of work that gets you to a certain space. And he’s earned the right to manage one of the biggest clubs in the world and I think he’s doing a good job.”
