Manchester United are one the few clubs in the market for England striker Harry Kane this summer.
United are one of the clubs who may be able to afford Kane, who also need to sign a centre-forward.
However, dealing with Tottenham is not going to be straightforward at all.
A report via The Times claims Spurs want £100 million up front in one payment, to even consider a deal, and hope their demands may deter United and other interested clubs.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Kane deal difficult to do
Manchester United’s usual method of conducting big deals is to break down the transfer fee across instalments.
The Athletic reported when Manchester United’s £72.9 million move for Jadon Sancho was struck with Borussia Dortmund, it was agreed the money will be paid spread across five seasons.
The one exception was in 2019 when The Telegraph reported Manchester United paid most of the £80 million fee for Harry Maguire in one lump-sum, because Ed Woodward was desperate to close the deal.
Hopefully Manchester United have learned from this – a reluctance to overpay for Sancho in 2020 suggested so.
Manchester United do not need to overpay for Kane. Signing a striker is crucial, but there is a wariness to deal with Tottenham.
ESPN report United have no intention of letting Tottenham string out negotiations until late August and are considering alternatives.
Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen are two names also linked along with Benjamin Sesko, while Brighton’s Evan Ferguson might also be emerging as a cheaper and younger option.
Even with a takeover, Manchester United must comply with Financial Fair Play, and dropping a £100 million lump sum on one player, is unlikely to fit in.
If a move for Harry Kane is going to happen, he must push to make it work and submit a transfer request early in the window and force Tottenham to respect his wishes and lower their asking price.
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