25 January 2023 , 09:40
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Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has revealed he was encouraged to sell Harry Kane as far back as 2013 amid fresh interest in his services.
The England captain has regularly been linked with a move away from North London with Manchester City previously seeing a big-money bid turned down for his services in the summer of 2021. A transfer could potentially be on the cards once more, sooner rather than later.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is prioritising a swoop for the striker as he aims to bolster his attack, whilst Spurs chief Daniel Levy appears to have slashed his asking price as Kane enters the final year of his current contract.
Now Tottenham ’s joint-record goalscorer, the striker could well have been moved on almost a decade before matching Jimmy Greaves’ goalscoring feat. After Kane had underwhelmed during loan spells with Millwall, Norwich and Leicester, ex-Spurs boss Sherwood claims he was told to cash-in on the young forward by the club’s hierarchy.
Writing in a Daily Mail column, he said: “When Harry came back to Tottenham after a series of loans, I advised him not to accept any more offers and to stick around and fight for his place. The manager previous to me, Andre Villas-Boas, had no intention of putting him in.
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“Franco Baldini was sporting director and he wrote off Harry, saying he wasn't good enough for the Premier League. Tottenham wanted me to get rid of him.
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“There were clubs who wanted Harry. But I wouldn't do that. I wasn't listening. I was saying: 'The boy is good enough.' I was told I was 'biased' towards the younger players. I wasn't. I just wanted to win and Harry was best equipped to do that for me.”
Kane eventually went on to stay with Spurs and has now made 415 appearances for the club and scored 266 goals in all competitions. There have been suggestions that Man Utd are eyeing a swoop for him and are hopeful of him taking on a similar role to Robin van Persie - who was recruited from a Premier League rival to then power the Red Devils onto the title.
Sherwood also revealed that he has probed his former player regarding his plans for his future, the striker remaining tight-lipped. “I spoke to Harry on Monday night after his winner at Fulham,” the ex-Spurs boss added.
“I asked him if he's going to be sticking around in the Premier League to target Alan Shearer's record next. He told me it was a 'loaded question' but did add he's enjoying himself. We want to see the best of the best in the Premier League so I hope Harry stays put to take over Alan's record.”
Whilst Man Utd are notable admirers of Kane, there is further interest in him from Germany with reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich reportedly eyeing a swoop.