25 April 2023 , 12:09
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Manchester United are ramping up their pursuit of Harry Kane as they aim to complete their first signing from Tottenham since Dimitar Berbatov, 15 years ago.
United boss Erik ten Hag is on red alert to sign a central striker at Old Trafford and he has decided England’s skipper is that man. The Spurs frontman will be on the market, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2024, after yet another campaign of disappointment for the north London club.
Spurs striker Kane, 29, is on Ten Hag’s target list but the club are aware Tottenham supremo Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator and the club are wary about being drawn into a prolonged transfer saga similar to the one they were involved in with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong last year.
United have not signed a player from Spurs since Bulgarian striker Berbatov in the summer of 2008. That came two years after Michael Carrick made the same move. However, the move for Berbatov dragged on until the closing hours of the summer transfer window.
That prompted then-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and former CEO David Gill to vow that they would never deal with the north London club again. That is a promise they kept until they both departed United in the summer of 2013, with the decade since also seeing no direct business.
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However, United need to sign a central striker this summer and are pushing ahead with their attempt to sign Kane this summer, report the Telegraph. That is a major move from Ferguson’s stance of not attempting to sign players from the club.
Harry Kane - into the last 15 months of his Tottenham contract - continues to be linked with a move to Man United (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Would Kane be the best striker for Man Utd to sign this summer? Tell us what you think here.
Wout Weghorst is leaving Old Trafford at the end of the campaign when his loan deal expires while it is believed that United will listen to offers for Anthony Martial. The only other senior striker in the club’s senior squad is Marcus Rashford, who prefers to play from the left.
United have alternatives in attack should they fail to land Kane. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is thought to be a key target this summer, but the Nigerian’s price tag may prove excessive. The club also hold great admiration for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus, whom Ten Hag coached at Ajax.
United have approached Atalanta regarding their interest in striker Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in Serie A and the Red Devils are monitoring his situation.