Kane and Man Utd are leaving the transfer window's biggest unanswered question

30 July 2023 , 13:18

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Manchester United have backed away from a move for Harry Kane (Image: Getty Images)

With the transfer window remaining open for another month or so, plenty of marquee moves can still take place.

But as each week of the window passes by, there is one scenario that still baffles: Why on earth do Manchester United seem uninterested in a pursuit of Harry Kane?

Is it because they would regard the likely £100million asking price for a 30-year-old striker as way too steep? Considering United have, apparently, put a £40million tag on Scott McTominay, £100million for Kane would be an absolute bargain.

Is it because Daniel Levy has privately made it known he will not, under any circumstances, sell to United? What has become clear is that Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns Spurs, has said Kane must be sold if he does not sign a new deal. And considering his current predicament - on trial for alleged securities fraud in the United States - Lewis probably does not give a toss who Kane is flogged to. Soon, he might need the dough for his solicitors Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and From.

Are United not keen on Kane because of his age, the England striker turning 30 on Friday? Kane has a good five years at the very top left in him.

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Do United’s recruitment experts actually believe that he will not be as impactful as so many reckon he will? His total of 25 Premier League goals from open play was only four shy of Erling Haaland’s total from open play. To score 30 in a season when Spurs finished eighth was one of his finest achievements.

Kane is still being eyed by Bayern Munich (Alex Morton/Tottenham Hotspur FC/REX/Shutterstock)

On every level, to at least be in the market for Kane seems like a no-brainer. And as Bayern Munich intensify their pursuit of England’s captain, there obviously IS a market for Kane, although the player himself obviously has the card that Kylian Mbappe has at Paris St Germain. He can simply run down his contract and go where he wants for monstrous money next summer.

There may be more options then. Who is to say Haaland might not want to move on after a couple of seasons in England and there is an opening at Manchester City? Or who is to say Pep Guardiola might not fancy pairing Kane and Haaland if the former comes for free?

My gut feeling is that Kane will, indeed, allow his contract to run down and go on a free in 2024. But if Spurs do feel compelled to at least try and sell him and if there are any indications that Kane might want to leave this summer, the idea Manchester United will remain uninterested is verging on the preposterous. And even by their recent standards, surely that will not happen.

Andy Dunn