Report: Man Utd ‘favour’ £133m striker to Kane; Tottenham man left with ‘only two’ Prem transfer options
According to reports, Man Utd would ‘favour’ Napoli striker Victor Osimhen over Tottenham star Harry Kane when they look for a new forward in the summer.
The Red Devils are expected to be in the market for a new striker when this season ends. This follows Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
United have uncharacteristically moved quickly to sign a replacement in the short-term as Wout Weghorst has joined the club on loan from Championship leaders Burnley.
The Netherlands international is considered a short-term solution and he will provide competition for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial until the end of this campaign.
The club’s hierarchy were unwilling to spend big on a new striker this month after they spent over £200m on new recruits in the summer. But they are likely to go again ahead of the 2023/24 season, especially with them showing signs of positive progress under Erik ten Hag.
Harry Kane has been mentioned as a potential target with his contract at Tottenham up in 2024. A fresh report from The Telegraph has provided an update on his situation.
The Englishman is ‘in no rush to extend his commitment’ to Tottenham beyond 2024. Should Kane move on in the summer, ‘it is still believed that Daniel Levy will demand £100m’ but ‘the price is likely to be lower for overseas clubs interested in him’.
It is understood that Kane’s ‘preference’ is to remain in the Premier League with Alan Shearer’s goalscoring record in sight.
United have ‘long held interest’ in Kane, but ‘there are theories that the 29-year-old does not quite fit the ideal profile of target recommended by Erik ten Hag, who is said to favour a faster forward such as Napoli’s Osimhen’.
The report adds: ‘That will not necessarily stop United making a move for Kane, but it is not considered a forgone conclusion at this stage and he will be wary of once again courting a transfer that does not happen.’
The Telegraph also state that if Man Utd withdraw their interest in Kane, Chelsea and Newcastle United ‘would be left as the only possibilities for him in England’.
Blues co-owner Todd Boehly would ‘roll out the red carpet’ for Kane but this would be classed as a ‘controversial switch’ given the tense relationship between the two London clubs.
Newcastle meanwhile would ‘represent a sideways step’ even if they can offer the striker Champions League football.
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also mentioned in the report as possible destinations for Kane, but given that he is reportedly keen to stay in the Premier League, a switch to either of the European giants may be unlikely.
As for Osimhen, he is said to be rated at around £133m and Man Utd would face competition from Arsenal and Newcastle.
The 24-year-old has been in stunning form for Serie A leaders Napoli this term. He has grabbed 13 goals and four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.
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