Ten Hag abandons Man Utd transfer plan after Ferguson golden rule reminder

14 March 2023 , 02:00

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Ten Hag abandons Man Utd transfer plan after Ferguson golden rule reminder

Manchester United will not risk a long pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane with the club aware of the difficulties of negotiating with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Erik ten Hag had made Kane their number one transfer target this summer with the United boss on red alert as he searches for the final piece of the jigsaw at Old Trafford and he believed that the England international captain fitted the bill.

The Spurs striker will be entering the final year of his contract after yet another campaign of disappointment with the north Londoners. Spurs will end the season trophyless, having been eliminated from both the FA Cup and Champions League within the space of a week.

United are prioritising the signing of a central striker this summer. Wout Weghorst's loan deal from Burnley expires at the end of the campaign and Anthony Martial is expected to depart Old Trafford following another injury-blighted season.

That leaves Marcus Rashford as the club’s only recognised senior striker and the in-form England international prefers playing on the left side of an attack than centrally. Kane would be an ideal fit for this United side and would fill a key position in which they are currently short.

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However, as per The Athletic, a move for Kane is fraught with difficulty. Spurs have no intention of selling their superstar striker this summer and indeed, will work on renewing his stay in north London.

Harry Kane - into the last 15 months of his Tottenham contract - continues to be linked with a move to Man Utd (Getty Images)

Have Your Say! Would leaving Spurs to join Man Utd be a good move for Kane? Tell us what you think here.

That may complicate the situation enough, but ESPN highlights how senior figures at United are aware of the difficulties of dealing with Spurs and chairman Levy, who is seen as a tough negotiator and who would be happy to prolong any transfer saga – which could disrupt United’s summer plans.

It is highlighted how former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and CEO David Gill vowed never to deal with them over incomings again after just clinching the signing of Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs at the eleventh hour of the transfer deadline in the summer window of 2008.

They stayed true to their promise and United have not signed a player from Spurs in 15 years since, meaning that Kane may be unlikely to break that streak this summer.

United also hold great admiration for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus, whom Ten Hag coached at Ajax. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is thought to be a key target this summer, but the Nigerian’s price tag may prove excessive.

Kane, for his part, has yet to win a major trophy in his senior career and is out of contract at Spurs in 2024 – making a move away this summer conceivable for all parties.

Colin Millar