‘Disappointed’ Ten Hag wants ‘realistic’ targets as Man Utd ‘pull out’ of race for Spurs star Kane

Jason Soutar
Erik ten Hag before the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Manchester United are reportedly no longer looking to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane this summer as Erik ten Hag turns his attention to more ‘realistic targets’.

Ten Hag had made Kane one of his top summer targets as he searches for a new No. 9.

Reports always suggested United would not be drawn into a summer-long saga and were only making initial contacts to see how much Spurs owner Daniel Levy wants for the England captain.

Kane is out of contract next year, though the north Londoners are reluctant to let their star player leave for less than £100million, especially to a Premier League rival.

Bayern Munich had shown some interest but are expected to pursue other targets. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have been strongly linked over the last two weeks following Karim Benzema’s departure.

Madrid, like the Red Devils, need a new striker, and Kane moving to the Spanish capital would be much preferable for Levy.

In an ideal world for him, however, Kane signs a new contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but this seems extremely unlikely, with the 29-year-old reportedly willing to leave on a free next summer.

Despite the player’s stance on a new contract, Levy is asking for a monstrous transfer fee, which is also pretty understandable given Kane’s importance to Spurs.

And thankfully for Levy, United are no longer in for his star man, according to The Guardian.

A report from Jamie Jackson says the Red Devils have ‘pulled out’ of the race to sign Kane as the potential cost is ‘out of reach’.

This will give Ten Hag the opportunity to pursue other targets and perhaps change his focus to incoming players in other positions, with a new goalkeeper and central midfielder expected through the door at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has apparently ‘accepted the club must be realistic over transfer package’ and advised the Old Trafford bosses against pursuing the England striker.

A ‘disappointed’ Ten Hag does understand the ‘overall package’ should not exceed the club’s expectations, especially considering the player’s contract expires in 2024.

The Dutch manager will still prioritise the signing of a new striker with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen another player ‘out of reach’ due to his valuation.

Another player United are looking at is Atalanta youngster Rasmus Hojlund, the report adds.

It is claimed that the 20-year-old would probably not be a regular starter at United next season and that the Serie A side could ask for ‘as much as £50m’.

This report means Kane’s future looks like it lies in north London, with Real Madrid now likely to prioritise a move for Kylian Mbappe, who is expected to be available on a free transfer next year, meaning Paris Saint-Germain will be eager to sell him this summer if he does not sign a new contract.

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