Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has explained why the club took the decision to sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.
The England captain has completed a £100million transfer to the German champions in a deal which could rise by around a further £20m with add-ons.
Bayern confirmed the signing on Saturday morning on a four-year contract ahead of a potential debut later tonight in the German Super Cup final.
Spurs chief Levy rejected a number of bids before yielding to the desire of Kane to seek a “fresh challenge” before he left on a free transfer when his contract expired next summer.
Daniel Levy, said: “We sought over a long period of time to engage Harry and his representatives in several forms of contract extension, both short and long term.
“Harry was clear, however, that he wanted a fresh challenge and would not be signing a new contract this summer. We have reluctantly, therefore, agreed to his transfer.
“We have seen a product of our Academy system become one of the best players to ever pull on a Spurs shirt and become one of world football’s elite strikers. It has been a truly remarkable journey.
“Harry’s achievements and records say everything about the player, and throughout his 19 years at the Club, Harry has been a model professional, on and off the pitch and an inspiration for young players who dream of following in his footsteps.
"I should like to thank Harry for everything he's done for us, all the memories, all the records - we wish him and his family all the best for the future. It goes without saying, he's always welcome back. He’s a much loved and valued member of the Spurs family, forever in our history.”
Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou has called on his exisiting players to step up in Kane’s absence.
“The opportunity is there, put it that way,” he told reporters on Friday. “With all these things there’s opportunity.
“What you’ve got to try to do is what the great clubs do, the great organisations: replace greatness with greatness. How that comes about is not easy - but that’s what the big clubs do. They find a way to sustain and maintain and grow even when the greatest leave their doors.”
