Tottenham have informed Manchester United that it will take £100million up front if they want to sign Harry Kane this summer.
The forward's contract will enter its final 12 months when the season ends and his future has been a major talking point in recent weeks. Kane has previously angled for a move away, most notably to Manchester City in the summer of 2021, but has remained in north London.
His entire career - bar four loan spells as a youngster - has been spent at Tottenham and whilst he's enjoyed huge personal success, his trophy cabinet remains empty. United are poised to pursue a No.9 this summer and Kane would appear the most obvious fit, but they will have to break their transfer record to sign him, reports The Times.
Transfers, especially in the modern game, can often be structured with gradual payments, but Tottenham have no interest in negotiating on that basis. They want one lump sum if they are to part ways with the England captain and they do not want to sell him to a domestic rival.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who have not replaced Robert Lewandowski with a natural goalscorer, are also keeping tabs on the situation and could yet make moves.
Antonio Conte, who too is facing questions about his future, believes Kane wants to remain in north London but accepts that any decision is between the player and Tottenham. He said last week: "But then, you know football. Sometimes, it's unpredictable but it's not in my task to make a decision. This is the decision for the club and for Harry."
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Tottenham's latest setback saw them concede late on against Southampton, which has dented their top-four hopes. In recent weeks, they've also been knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan and the FA Cup in surprising fashion by Sheffield United.
Kane has long been the club's talisman, surpassing the 20-goal mark in each of his last nine seasons. Tottenham have failed to consistently challenge for honours, however, and with the England star turning 30 this summer, he may decide to pursue a new challenge.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who faces criticism for the club's failings on the pitch, is renowned for his ruthless negotiating style. Reports have stated that the club were more willing to let Kane enter the final year of his deal than cash in on him this summer.
United have signed the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham during the Premier League era. Erik ten Hag spent big in his first summer but they've lacked a natural striker this term, albeit left-winger Marcus Rashford has excelled with his best goalscoring season to date.
