Manchester United have currently backed off a move for Harry Kane. Is interest really over or is it just on hold?
After a terrific 41-goal season for club and country, Harry Kane‘s future is a major talking point. The only surprise is that Manchester United appear to have abandoned the chase so easily.
It has been clear from the start that Tottenham are going to be difficult to deal with. The Guardian reported in mid-June that Manchester United have backed off.
Interest from Bayern Munich has continued to stir the pot over Kane’s future. And this raises the possibility that Manchester United are still quietly laying in wait, ready to pounce.
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Bayern interest in Harry Kane: The situation
Bayern Munich are showing the strongest interest in the England international, returning with a second bid for the striker.
The Guardian report Bayern are set to offer £70 million plus add-ons, having had a derisory £60 million offer turned down.
Kane would almost certainly end his personal silverware drought at Bundesliga title winning regulars Bayern. And he would be able to return to the Premier League in a few years time and attempt to overtake Alan Shearer’s division goals record.
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He has only one year remaining on his current contract at Tottenham. The worst case scenario for Spurs is for Kane to join rivals Chelsea on a free transfer next summer and link up with former boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester United possible strategy
This is where Manchester United may be paying close attention to Bayern’s offer, if it gets to a stage where Tottenham accept it.
If Tottenham accept an offer of say £75 million from Bayern for Harry Kane, it will be very tempting for Manchester United to come in and match that offer, which surely Spurs would have to accept.
Spurs may still play hardball, they have resisted selling to United in the past, stung by previous sales, and at the moment, United are treading carefully.
United know right now to enquire for Kane, they would be met with demands of approximately around £100 million.
But with a foreign club involved, Tottenham may act differently, and this is where United can call their bluff once an offer is accepted, and try to lure Kane with a better offer, and the temptation of staying in the Premier League.
Murtough has done it before last summer
This would be a masterclass in strategy from Football Director John Murtough. This is how Manchester United secured the signature of Tyrell Malacia last summer.
Manchester United waited for Lyon to agree a fee with Feyenoord before coming in to hijack the deal.
United’s move came after Lyon had a verbal agreement over a fee, The Guardian reported.
Usually when United come calling, clubs add a premium. The MEN report United were hit with huge demands over a striker last summer, before he was sold for £20 million cheaper, believed to be Benjamin Sesko.
Waiting for other clubs to do the ground work is a risky strategy, but in the case of Harry Kane, it could be United’s only way forward this summer.
Amid budget concerns, if Kane was available for £75 million, you know the club would find the money.