Harry Kane expires at the end of next season and the England striker has a decision to make: stay and become a one-club man or go elsewhere in search of silverware.
Harry Kane has fun in the North London derby.
The England captain scored 14 goals in 18 games against Arsenal, which only underlines his importance to Tottenham. But Spurs face a major dilemma over Kane’s future as his contract ticks away.
The situation is closely watched by Manchester United and Bayern Munich, among others, as Kane could face the biggest decision of his career this summer. Tottenham are desperate to tie Kane down to a new contract with just 18 months left on his contract and the idea of one of Europe’s best strikers entering his final year would be unthinkable.
That would pose a huge risk for Tottenham manager Daniel Levy, who cannot afford to lose Kane on a free transfer, as Spurs did with Sol Campbell 22 years ago. Kane, 29, would be a very attractive option even in his thirties, and more urgently, the move could give him the chance to win a trophy, which has always been his burning ambition.
That’s why Kane teased Manchester City in the summer of 2021 when he made it clear he wanted to leave his beloved Tottenham in search of silverware. No Tottenham fan needs to be reminded that the club haven’t won a trophy since 2008, and even streak-winner Antonio Conte admits he will be fighting for the club’s biggest prize.
The comments should have made Kane rethink where his career was heading and whether it was time to leave.
Kane is a legend at the club, the fans adore him and have welcomed him with open arms even after a summer of discontent. Kane is a sensational striker full of goals and his overall game has improved a lot over the years. There will be no shortage of takers.
When Kane missed a penalty in England’s World Cup quarter–final against France, he looked devastated but knew the Spurs fans would soon mend his broken heart.
It has to encourage a sense of loyalty and he can still stay at Tottenham, being a one-club man and achieving a lot of records, which is another thing that drives him.
Kane is just two goals short of his second Premier League century and just one more than Jimmy Greaves’ club record of 266 goals. If he stays at Tottenham, his status as an all-time great is guaranteed. But will there be any sense of what might have been in the years to come?
It’s a dilemma for Kane, but also for Tottenham, who face an even bigger dilemma if he doesn’t sign a new contract before the end of the season.
Kane is used to being the hero of the North London derby and another win against Arsenal will be a timely reminder of how much he is loved. But defeat to their north London rivals could also prompt him to wonder if he needs a new challenge and a new club if Tottenham fall behind the rest.