04 June 2023 , 12:14
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has placed Harry Kane at the top of his transfer wishlist after Karim Benzema confirmed his exit from the Spanish giants.
The French striker, 35, has enjoyed one of the great Los Blancos careers after joining from Lyon back in 2009. His total of 353 club goals is bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo, with his haul four La Liga and five Champions League titles amongst a host of honours won with the Spanish giants. He is expected to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
His exit from the club means they are desperately short on attacking options, with Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz – the latter of whom was the only recognised central striker in Madrid’s senior squad – also all departing as free agents this summer.
At a key transfer meeting on Thursday, Ancelotti made it clear to club president Florentino Perez and Real Madrid ’s general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, who is primarily tasked with concluding transfers, that Tottenham striker Kane is his number one target this summer after the club conclude a deal to sign his England international teammate Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Kane, 29, is on United boss Erik ten Hag’s target list this summer as he is on red alert to sign a central striker at Old Trafford. United are desperate to sign an elite central striker and believe Kane’s contractual situation will mean that a deal is possible.
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The England international is now wanted by Madrid too and while Tottenham would be more open to selling him to a non-direct rival outside of the Premier League, Kane’s preference would be to stay in England and chase down Alan Shearer’s goal record.
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Kane - who scored 30 Premier League goals this season - is out of contract next year (Getty Images)Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is an alternative for both clubs but his price tag – likely to be in excess of £140million – may make any transfer prohibitive. The Nigerian international would likely have to agitate for a move to prompt the Italian champions into a sale.
Osimhen spoke in March that it would be his “dream” to play in the Premier League as links with him moving to Old Trafford intensified. United have subsequently sent scouts to monitor the striker’s play.
Real Madrid have more affordable alternatives available. Alongside United, they are the only club to establish a concrete interest in Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta. It is believed the Red Devils have made their interest in the 20-year-old, who would be available for around £40million, more concrete but he is viewed as a more cost-effective alternative at Madrid.
Kai Havertz may be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer (Getty Images)Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is a more likely option for the Spanish giants, who have reactivated their interest in the German. Havertz, alongside Kane, was discussed at the transfer meeting this week. The German international agreed terms with the club back in 2020 before eventually opting to join Chelsea, due to a superior economic proposal.
Mauricio Pochettino is the new boss at Stamford Bridge and will have a say on multiple players futures at the club. Chelsea have no shortage of attacking options with the impending arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, meaning that they could be tempted to cash-in on Havertz.
Roberto Firmino is a free agent this summer after leaving Liverpool (AFP via Getty Images)Roberto Firmino is a free agent after leaving Liverpool and Real Madrid are monitoring a move for the Brazilian. His lack of a transfer fee would fit their policy of signing free agents Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on bigger wages in recent years.
It is also believed that Real Madrid have, independently of the above, wrapped up a deal to sign Spain international Joselu from Espanyol – who were relegated from LaLiga. The experienced striker will primarily act as a back-up striker in the Spanish capital, and will join alongside full-back Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano.