Declan Rice was naturally coy on his future when speaking to media after West Ham’s Europa Conference League success last week, until his chairman gave the inevitable game away.
Asked whether the final was the Hammers captain’s final match for the club, David Sullivan said: “I think it has to be.” It’s a line many have used when speaking about Harry Kane’s potential exit this summer.
In another universe, Daniel Levy may be equally as open as Sullivan, but not in this one. That said, Manchester United have already learned his intentions for Kane - forget about a transfer.
United do not want to get into a long, drawn-out chase for Kane after the fruitless pursuit of Frenkie de Jong last year.
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Unlike De Jong, Kane has yet to rule out an exit although United are operating as if he will not be leaving. They are therefore looking at alternatives having already held talks with Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
As the bleary-eyed Manchester City players arrive at the England camp this week after their Treble success, Rice is one of few others who can also show off a cup winners’ medal in the dressing room.
Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire may dare show their League Cup medallions while the Liverpool contingent have probably already lost their Community Shield accolades after how the season unfolded.
Kane cannot even say he has the luxury of misplacing such an item. The England skipper will turn 30 next month as all-time top scorer for club and country, but with no trophy to show for it.
One wonders how envious he was to see West Ham and Rice taste silverware success before himself at Tottenham.
He has an option to change the narrative. That opportunity won't come at Spurs unless Ange Postecoglu becomes the next Claudio Ranieri.
Levy is keen that Kane is kept, meaning that the player himself will have to force the door to United open instead. ‘FOMO’ - the fear of missing out - can be a great motivator and he just needs to look around the England dressing room.
United are waiting with open arms if Kane wishes to leave for a trophy hunt. In the current situation, he would fit like a glove at Old Trafford.
There will not be a better opportunity to move to the red half of Manchester with few other options available to him this summer should he wish to stay in England and try to break that Premier League record.
Ten Hag is eager to push for the big trophies next season after guiding his team into the Champions League. It’s a competition Kane would not play in again until he is 31 at the earliest if he stays at Spurs.
In a loyalty-lacking football climate, it should be admired that the superstar wishes to stay at his boyhood club. But Kane knows the odds of Spurs challenging for a trophy next season are minimal.
Rice’s joyous night in Prague will have sent a reminder to Kane about what he risks by being loyal.
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