IT wasn’t what Tottenham Hotspur fans wanted to hear, but probably what they suspected they might. Asked whether or not he saw his long term future in North London Harry Kane admitted it depended on how Spurs are “progressing as a team.” He hit home the point for good measure. “I’m not someone to stay there for the sake of it,” the striker continued. “I’m an ambitious player, I want to improve, get better and become one of the top, top players.”
Quite clearly Kane harbours doubts over Tottenham’s capacity for helping him achieve this and with Manchester United reportedly monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation he could be presented with a way out. Subsequent reports claim Daniel Levy would demand a £200 million fee for his prize asset, suggesting that a deal could very well be on.
United should resist the temptation to sign Kane, though. For the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson age there is a plan in place at Old Trafford. They have a clearer idea of what they need in the transfer market and under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer progress has been made on the pitch, both in terms of playing style and results.
Kane, however, does not fit into this vision of the future. Man Utd have made a point of targeting young, hungry and largely homegrown players in the last two transfer windows. Daniel James, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have all added something to Solskjaer’s squad with Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho widely believed to be next on the shopping list.
The signing of Kane for a fee that would likely drain their summer transfer kitty would see Man Utd repeat their mistakes of old. The kind of mistakes that ultimately saw them count the considerable cost of ill-advised moves for Angel di Maria, Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez. By signing Kane United would be signing a player for his reputation over his suitability.
It’s understandable why so many believe Man Utd should move for Kane. It’s the sort of transfer they would have made at the peak of the Ferguson age. It was in this vain that Andy Cole, Dimitar Berbatov and Robin Van Persie were all lured to Old Trafford. Ferguson even tried it with Alan Shearer in one of the few times his interest was rebuffed.
Indeed, Man Utd have a history of buying the best goalscorer in the land and as far as out-and-out centre forwards go right now Kane certainly fits the bill with 136 Premier League goals to his name. But while such arrogance was befitting of United at the peak of their powers they must show more humility now. There must be more thought paid to their rebuild than just splurging a record fee on the best goalscorer in the land in the hope it will bring success.
What’s more, Kane’s recent injury record should concern any potential suitors, including United. The last three seasons has seen the Tottenham Hotspur striker suffer no fewer than eight different injuries keeping him out of the game for months at a time. He hasn’t been the same since the 2018 World Cup and even then there were worries over his performances. If the warning signs were there over Sanchez, they are similarly there over Kane too.
This isn’t to say Man Utd don’t need a new centre forward. They have so far failed to replace the goals that walked out the door when Romelu Lukaku left the club last summer despite the impact Odion Ighalo has made since joining on loan in January. It’s just that the signing of Kane would see United change tact just at the point they appear to be on to something.
