Spurs might already have Harry’s heir: Top ten replacement options for Kane
In truth, Harry Kane is irreplaceable. Unfortunately for everyone associated with Tottenham, that fateful day is just around the corner, whether that is this month, January 2024, or next summer.
He has big boots to fill and here are ten players we think Ange Postecoglou should target when the England captain departs…
10) Folarin Balogun
Wildcard, baby! If he did not play for Arsenal, Balogun would be a lot higher, but he does, so he is not.
The thing is, Mikel Arteta clearly fancies Eddie Nketiah over Balogun, even if the latter scored 22 times last season when the former has only managed seven more in 73 games more under the Spanish manager. If Balogun does not get a transfer this summer and sits on the bench until January, he could make the move across north London just for the sh*ts and gigs. Rivalry aside, this transfer actually makes a ridiculous amount of sense.
T8) Randal Kolo Muani/Victor Osimhen
Both are a pipe dream, hence why they are together. Postecoglou will need to dramatically turn things around and get top four for either to consider a move, you’d think.
7) Goncalo Ramos
Ramos would be an incredible signing for Tottenham but it looks like the young Portuguese is off to Paris Saint-Germain. What a shame.
Paris Saint-Germain will sign both Gonçalo Ramos and Ousmane Dembélé in the next hours/days. Plan is to get both done by the end of the week 🔴🔵🇵🇹 #PSG
Matter of details for Ramos, deal to be closed very soon as medical tests could be booked in the next few days. pic.twitter.com/zaNyqJPgHv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2023
6) Benjamin Sesko
6’4″ striker Sesko moved from one Red Bull club to another this summer, so a transfer to Spurs before the end of August is not going to happen, which means if Big Ange wants Big Benji above everyone else, there will be a lot of pressure on Heung-min Son and Richarlison between now and the winter transfer window.
In 23 starts for RB Salzburg in 22/23, Sesko scored 16 goals and made four assists, helping Gerhard Struber’s side win the Austrian Bundesliga. If you were unsure, at a colossal 1.94m tall, Sesko is quite dangerous in the air, but he is not a one-trick pony. Pretty much, He’s Got Good Feet For A Big Man.
At the age of 20, Sesko has moved to RB Leipzig and will be playing up top alongside fellow new signing Loic Openda, in a classic little and large combination. Openda is actually 5’10” but will look little next to the big Slovenian.
5) Evan Ferguson
We all know what Brighton are about. They will not let Ferguson leave for peanuts, even if Spurs make an approach this summer. The 18-year-old only has 20 Premier League appearances to his name, but in his short time as a first-team player, he has proven he has everything required to be a top striker. The teenager is strong, quick, clinical in front of goal, can score with his left foot, right foot, head, and has a lovely touch.
Obviously, he is not yet the final product and many a teenage sensation have peaked before turning 20. Ferguson does not look like he will be another Freddy Adu or Dele Alli, but it is possible. Spurs will need to weigh up the risk/reward of making this deal happen, especially with Brighton expected to ask for a monstrous fee.
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4) Ivan Toney
Toney is actually one of the more experienced players on this list, even if he only has 68 Premier League appearances to his name. The important thing is that he has scored an impressive 32 goals in those 68 appearances, whilst providing a very respectable nine assists.
Obviously, Toney is suspended from all footballing activity until January 2024, which is far from ideal, especially if Kane is sold before the conclusion of the summer transfer window. This would put a lot of pressure on Richarlison and Heung-min Son during the first half of the season.
Brentford’s stance will surely depend on how they perform without their talismanic forward. If they fail to miss a beat while Toney is watching from his sofa, they could be open to letting him leave. On the flip side, if they find themselves in an unexpected relegation battle (I would not be surprised), there is no chance they allow the 27-year-old England international to leave. Ironically, Spurs will hope their London rivals have a great start to the season if Toney is a genuine target.
Although Brentford’s direct style of play fits Toney down to a tee, the former Newcastle United youngster has shown enough to prove he can cut the mustard for a big club. It is slightly confusing he has sparked such little interest since the Bees’ promotion to the Premier League in 2021, in truth.
3) Dusan Vlahovic
He rejected Arsenal in January 2022, so it is fair to assume Vlahovic would not entertain a move to Spurs. However, a lot has changed in the last eighteen months. The Serbian’s big-money move to Juventus has not gone how he and the club had hoped and there is a belief the Serie A giants are open to selling him. He will probably cost similar to what the Old Lady paid (£70million), which is a lot of money, but not completely outrageous in this day and age.
Outside of the Premier League, Vlahovic is the biggest sure thing for Spurs, and he is not completely unrealistic given he has not found a new club by August amidst his turbulent time in Turin.
2) Richarlison
Who better to become the heir to Kane’s throne than the guy Tottenham have already spent £60m on? Richarlison’s debut season at the club has not provided too much hope to a fan base bereaved of just that, but we all know there is a player in there. You don’t lead the line for Brazil if you are pants. If we ignore Fred’s stint as their No. 9 that is.
It is clear that Richarlison did not get on with former head coach Antonio Conte and Postecoglou has to get the player’s joy back and he is the man to do just that. The Australian loves a high-pressing No. 9, which suits the former Everton man down to the ground and if he gains some confidence, he will be an absolute b*stard to play against this season.
If Kane leaves, Daniel Levy will need to recruit another striker, but promoting Richarlison to first-choice in that position is a genuine option and obviously the cheapest replacement on this list. Get some big money for Kane, promote Richarlison, sign a young striker, or even unearth a gem from the academy like they did with the current England captain. Bish, bash, bosh.
1) Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa are flying under Unai Emery and Watkins’ incredible work leading the line is a huge reason why they finished seventh in the Premier League last season and are now the big favourites to win this season’s Europa Conference League. Had Villa not ended the 2022/23 season so well, there probably would have been some rumours about the 27-year-old’s future at the club. Folk would have claimed Watkins deserves a go at a club in Europe on an annual basis, but under Emery, he might already be there.
Out of every (realistic) option on this list, nobody played more times than Watkins last season. He had 22 goal contributions in 40 matches, is the best ball carrier by a long way, had the most shot-creating actions, and is right up there when it comes to defensive stats.
There is no doubt Watkins is very different to Kane – and nowhere near his level – but in terms of suitable replacements, there are not many better options out there. Villa will want a sh*t load of money and there appears to be no desire from Watkins to take on a new challenge. Given his side’s current trajectory in comparison to Tottenham’s, it is fair to say this transfer would be a sideways step for the player, if not a step down. Money talks, though.
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