Manchester United ’s transfer pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been met with a number of hurdles as Bayern Munich attempt to muscle their way in.
Erik ten Hag ’s Red Devils are eyeing a big-name striker in the summer transfer window as the Dutchman attempts to build on a promising debut campaign at Old Trafford. Spurs star Kane is thought to be among their targets.
The England captain has just over a year left on his current contract in North London, with this summer representing Daniel Levy ’s last real opportunity to rake in a considerable fee for his services. United were aiming to take advantage of that fact but have been met with a number of problems as they attempt to land his services.
The first is severe competition from German giants Bayern Munich. The reigning Bundesliga champions are still on the hunt for an out-and-out number nine following the sale of Robert Lewandowski last summer.
Speaking after the club’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Manchester City, Bayern president Herbert Hainer admitted the club were willing to enter the market sooner rather than later to sign a forward. He said: “We’re missing a striker who can put the ball in the net.
“That’s something we’ll certainly need in future. If you can name me someone who can be an immediate hit, we would buy him immediately.”
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Whilst he stopped short of naming Kane as a specific target, a number of the Bayern hierarchy have hinted that a move for a forward could be on the cards in the near future. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: “We will sit down together and see who’s available, and then we’ll see what we can do.”
Meanwhile, Oliver Kahn has hinted that the club would only sign a striker only if one of their targets was affordable - Kane potentially included in that category given his contract status. “We tried everything to replace Lewandowski, including with the No 9 [ Erling Haaland ] we saw today,” the former goalkeeper said.
“But how many strikers are like Lewandowski in Europe? Those who are at that level are incredibly expensive.”
Whilst Bayern’s interest could cause problems, Tottenham chairman Levy also has a forthright stance over Kane’s future. Speaking recently to the Cambridge Union, he suggested that the striker can still lift trophies - the England man’s ultimate desire - with Spurs and he seems less inclined to sell.
"He can absolutely win a trophy at Spurs," the Spurs chairman said. "But being a legend is also important. "The fact that he’s top scorer of Tottenham Hotspur – he’s making history. I hope one day that there is a statue of Harry Kane outside our stadium."
Away from Kane, Man Utd also have a host of other attacking targets. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo-Muani and also Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen continue to be linked with summer moves to Old Trafford.
