Manchester United are keen on signing Harry Kane with the arrival of a centre-forward a ‘priority’ this summer.
Kane expressed a desire to leave Spurs last summer and could agitate for a move again should the North Londoners fail to secure Champions League qualification, having been subject of interest from both Manchester United and, more notably, Manchester City.
The 28-year-old will have two years remaining on his contract at Spurs at the end of the season and United are interested in a deal to take Kane to Old Trafford, with the signing of a centre-forward and two midfielders on the Red Devils’ agenda.
The Athletic are reporting that Ed Woodward held talks with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over a deal for Kane last summer, but informed Levy that a move would have to wait until 2022 due to ‘budgetary constraints’ following United’s signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City saw several approaches turned down for the England captain and could renew their interest, but the focus of the Premier League champions is now believed to be a deal for Erling Haaland.
Kane turned down a new deal at Spurs last summer and would cost in excess of £100m, whilst his future could depend on whether his current side or suitors secure Champions League football.
Both sides sit outside the Premier League’s top four at present and face a task to reach Europe’s elite given the strong form of Arsenal in recent weeks.
United’s search for a centre-forward comes amid uncertainty over several of their senior stars, with both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial linked with exits and Edinson Cavani set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The report says that Spurs are actively looking for potential replacements for Kane, with agent Jorge Mendes having ‘held talks’ with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Roma’s Tammy Abraham.
It adds that Nunez could also be an ‘alternative’ option for United, the Uruguayan having hit 26 goals in 33 games for the Portuguese side this season.
