Manchester United have been warned against signing Harry Kane this summer and, instead, encouraged to hijack Chelsea's bid to land Victor Osimhen. The 29-year-old striker faces an increasingly uncertain future at Tottenham, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
Prior to the departure of Fabio Paratici in April, football.london understood that the Italian had been in contact with the England international's entourage to discuss fresh terms. It's said that Kane is open to discussing an extension but, as it stands, he's yet to commit his long-term future to the north Londoners.
As a result, the Englishman is expected to attract plenty of interest in his signature this summer with Old Trafford mooted as a potential destination. Speaking on the William Hill and Footy Accumulators' podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, Andy Cole insisted that the Red Devils can not afford Kane.
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"Manchester United can’t go with a short-term solution again," the former United striker said. "They can’t go and spend £80million or £100million on Harry Kane. In two years’ time they’ll turn round and say to themselves, 'he’s 32, we need to get ourselves another striker'.
"They can’t afford to find themselves in that position again. When you look at the recognised strikers that Manchester United have had, you look at the likes of Robin van Persie, but the crazy thing is that he only stayed for two years, and ever since then it has just been one after another for two years.
"A football club like Manchester United cannot just keep having different strikers for two years at a time, it’s ridiculous. They know now that they have to sign someone who is going to give them five years."
Instead, Cole suggested that United should pursue a move for Osimhen. football.london understands that Chelsea are considering a bid for the in-form Napoli striker.
However, the Italian outfit are convinced that he won't leave this summer, whatever the price. The 51-year-old added: "I like Victor Osimhen – I think if he came to Manchester United, the way I’ve seen him play for Napoli, he could do it at Manchester United.
"He’s strong, he’s physical, he can stretch the team and run in behind, he can score from wide areas, headers, crosses, he’s got good feet... He’s got it all.
"When it comes to numbers, it all depends on whether you’ve got the numbers to justify the money because if you buy him for £120million, that’s your budget gone."
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