Transfer insider outlines ‘most likely’ scenario as United eye attacker Ratcliffe is desperate to bring to Old Trafford – report

With 17 goals and three assists in just nine games for Bayern Munich, Harry Kane is operating on another level this season.

While he has been grabbing headlines for his blistering form on the pitch, he is also making waves off it.

Transfer talk

It has recently emerged that the England captain has a release clause, believed to be around £56.5 million, in his Bayern Munich contract, which becomes active next summer if he signals in January his intention to leave.

Alongside that revelation came claims that Kane would welcome a return to the Premier League after next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Naturally, those reports spooked several top Premier League clubs.

Manchester United, whose Sir Jim Ratcliffe is known to be a huge admirer of Kane, were quickly named among the sides to watch in what could be a sensational Summer 2026 swoop.

Many United fans were already dreaming of the deal, with Old Trafford touted as Kane’s most likely destination. However, an intriguing update has now surfaced.

United’s position in the transfer chase

Stefan Borson, a former Manchester City financial adviser, has weighed in on Kane’s chances of returning to the Premier League.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said:

“I don’t think it’s feasible that Manchester United would do it.

“I know they’ve been talked about. He doesn’t fit with United’s direction of travel.”

He continued:

“It doesn’t fit with City’s direction of travel. It definitely doesn’t fit with Liverpool’s direction of travel.

“He’s not going to Arsenal. Chelsea again, they’re going young.

“I don’t think he’s coming back to the Premier League unless it’s to Spurs under new ownership—and even that feels pretty unlikely. So who does that leave?”

Watching Kane tear it up in Germany, it is hard to argue against his goalscoring and playmaking qualities being a perfect fit for most Premier League sides.

Harry Kane since signing for Bayern Munich! ✨

👕 105 games
⚽️ 102 goals
🅰️ 29 assists
🏆 2 trophies pic.twitter.com/xzyBjoXD7Q

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 1, 2025

Dream transfer

But there is a catch. Kane is 32, not getting any younger. His release clause is hefty, and his wages are substantial. Even with the promise of goals, this deal is not as “simple” as it looks.

United have already splashed £73.7 million on Benjamin Sesko, a brilliant young striker tipped for a big future.

INEOS may choose to back Sesko to come good.

Because after paying over the odds for him, making another significant investment in the striker department just a year later may not make sense, especially with other pressing needs in the squad.

Kane could have been a dream signing. He still might be. But for now, perhaps he remains just that, a dream.

Featured image Ian MacNicol via Getty Images

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