Man Utd ‘begin due diligence’ for Kane bid as Levy’s ‘nightmare’ comes true with new Spurs deal ‘unlikely’

Jason Soutar 24 Apr 2023 2:11 PM

Reported Man Utd target Harry Kane celebrates his goal

Harry Kane is unlikely to sign a new contract at Tottenham with Man Utd planning a summer assault, according to reports.

Kane is out of contract at the end of next season and he is being linked with a summer exit as a result.

Man Utd and Bayern Munich are among those interested in signing the 29-year-old, though he is expected to cost around £100million.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously difficult to deal with and will make sure he gets the highest fee possible, especially if he sells to a Premier League rival.

Man City tried to sign Kane in the summer of 2021, but failed to meet Levy’s asking price.

Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez have since signed for the Citizens, so they are no longer interested in Kane.

Man Utd, on the other hand, are in dire need of a new striker and are also believed to be interested in signing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos.

The England captain would be a perfect signing for the Red Devils, and a move to Old Trafford would give the player the chance to become the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Sunday’s consolation goal at Newcastle put Kane one behind Wayne Rooney and 53 off current leader Alan Shearer.

Another positive of moving to Man Utd is that Kane would have a better chance of winning a trophy.

A trophy with Man Utd is not guaranteed – unlike at Bayern Munich – but he would definitely be more likely to do so than at Spurs.

The Red Devils are clearly keen, and a fresh report from The Telegraph says they are now laying the groundwork ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that initial moves are being made by Erik ten Hag’s side, though it is expected that Levy will ask for £100m if he is to sell to an English club.

In a huge blow to Spurs, it is said that the ‘expectation’ is that Kane will not pen a new contract this summer.

Man Utd are ‘planning’ to make a bid for the 29-year-old in the summer window and ‘due diligence’ over how much he will cost and how to deal with Levy is already underway.

Levy sees the prospect of receiving a bid from Man Utd as a ‘nightmare’ scenario as he struggles to decide whether or not to cash in at the end of the season or risk losing him for nothing in 2024.

Sources close to the Londoners say there is ‘currently little chance’ Kane signs a new deal.

Man Utd are apparently ‘aware’ of how difficult Levy is to negotiate with and they do not want to risk pursuing Kane all summer, which could see them miss out on other targets if a deal fails to materialise.

Should Levy be willing to risk keeping Kane, the Red Devils will look to turn their attention elsewhere quickly, which is why they are already working on the transfer.

Astoundingly, the Spurs chairman would apparently be willing to sell Kane for £80m overseas, but will not let him join a domestic rival for anything less than £100m, and could decide to reject any bids from English clubs.

It is noted that the atmosphere at Spurs is potentially the worst it has ever been during Levy’s tenure.

The club are currently on the search for a new manager and interim boss Cristian Stellini is under significant pressure after Sunday’s 6-1 defeat at Newcastle.

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is the current favourite for the job – though it looks like Ryan Mason will replace Stellini as interim boss, unless the Italian somehow keeps his job.

Manchester United Harry Kane