Manchester United have made Harry Kane their no.1 transfer priority this summer but will not be involved in a transfer battle with Daniel Levy over his signature
Manchester United will not be involved in a transfer tug-of-war for Tottenham star Harry Kane if they cannot sign him before the start of next season.
The 29-year-old has only one year remaining on his current Spurs contract and could be cleared to leave this summer with Erik ten Hag looking to add a world-class striker to his United squad.
It is thought that Kane is United’s no.1 transfer target but the Red Devils would not have been dragged into the transfer tussle had Daniel Levy played hard for the forward’s signature.
According to ESPN, United are ‘not going to risk going after Kane for long’ and are hoping to finalize a deal for the England international before the 2023/24 Premier League season starts.
A source close to the club also stated that United cannot afford to start the season without a new striker and they don’t want to leave him until the end of the transfer window.
United have dealt with Levy in the past and would hate to have that ‘nightmare’ again for Kane, who has scored a top-flight 18 goals this season – the second most in the division behind Erling Haaland (28).
However, if Levy remains firm, then United may not even get involved and go after another striker, with Napoli forward Victor Osimhen also being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
The Nigerian star has scored 21 goals in 27 games in all competitions this season and helped his Napoli side move 18 points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-0 win over Atalanta on Saturday.
United could face stiff competition from several Premier League and European clubs if they try and sign Osimhen, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the hot pack.
PSG held initial talks with Osimhen’s representatives last week regarding a possible move, but it is understood the forward’s preference is the Premier League.
However, Kane is still United’s first-choice target for the summer window considering he is the top scorer in English football and is currently in scintillating form for Tottenham.
Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for Kane in recent months and wanted to sign the forward last summer following the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
They were unable to agree a deal but are expected to return to the table for Kane at the end of the season given that former Stoke man Erik Maxim Chupo Moting has filled in the lone striker responsibilities.
Similar to United, Bayern will not be dragged into a transfer battle for his signature and board member Uli Hoeness has stressed they will not be dragged into a “crazy” bidding war.
“I think the transfer is absolutely crazy,” Hoeness previously told German outlet Abendzeitung about a possible nine-point bid for Kane. “He’s a great player, no doubt about it, but it’s an amount I would never pay as president.”
Kane will wait under the summer to decide on his future, in which case he could sign a new contract at Tottenham or move elsewhere, with United and Bayern being the most likely destinations.