Manchester United remain interested in signing Harry Kane but face competition from Europe’s elite to sign the Bayern Munich striker – with the Bavarian side’s plan for his future at the Allianz Arena now revealed in a new report.
Ratcliffe is a huge fan of Kane
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner and ruler of the football operation, is a “huge fan” of the England captain and is believed to retain hope of seeing him lead the line at Old Trafford.
United were strongly linked with Kane in the summer of 2023 with the 32-year-old striker open to the switch from London to Manchester.
But the Red Devils, led by Richard Arnold and John Murtough, were wary of entering talks with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy – a notoriously difficult negotiator – and instead sanctioned a £72 million move for Rasmus Hojlund.
This allowed Bayern to swoop for Spurs talisman, sealing a deal worth nearly £100m as his contract at White Hart Lane had entered its final year.
The conflicting fortunes of the two strikers – Kane and Hojlund – and the two clubs over the last two years illustrate the wisdom of this choice that summer.
But United are now led by Ratcliffe and his INEOS Sports team, with a new executive structure and coaching staff in place. Yet the British billionaire’s desire to see Kane in a Red shirt remains strong – and there is a vacant number nine shirt at the Theatre of Dreams.
Kane’s Future in Munich
Kane’s contract at the Allianz Arena expires in 2027, but it contains a release clause – worth £57m – which becomes active next summer if the Englishman communicates his desire to leave before the end of the January transfer window.
This has put a host of clubs across the continent, including the Red Devils, on red-alert over securing Europe’s best number nine at a price which is still reasonable despite his age.
Kane’s game relies very little around speed or acceleration, instead utilising his outstanding technical ability and elite predatory instincts in the box. He’s also an excellent playmaker, capable of dropping deep and helping knit play – almost a nine-and-a-half, as much as an out-and-out striker.
It stands to reason there is little expectation Kane will slow down anytime soon, with Barcelona and ex-Bayern frontman Robert Lewandowski, who turned 37 last month, a template for him to to follow.
But it’s Barcelona, along with rival Real Madrid, who are keeping a close eye on developments in Bavaria as both Spanish heavyweights have a “firm interest” in signing Kane next summer, according to Graeme Bailey (TBR Football).
The transfer expert reveals, “Real and Barca have huge respect for Harry Kane. They love the way he holds himself, the way he comes across; he is the consummate professional. Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta would both love to land him, and at 32, he still has a few very good years left in him.”
But the Bayern striker remains open to a return to England with the prospect of becoming the Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer – Alan Shearer is top with 260 goals, while Kane is second with 213 – is a “huge lure” for him.
Tottenham have a first refusal option on Kane as part of the deal with Bayern two years ago.
This means any transfer bid from another side that is accepted by the German champions must be given the chance to match by the Lilywhites. The report also states Chelsea have “long been linked” with a move, though a switch to Spurs’ London rival feels unlikely.
But if Bayern get their way, none of these clubs will get the chance to try and sign the striker with the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
TBR Football reports Die Roten are ready to offer Kane “fresh terms” over a new deal to extend his stay at the Allianz Arena, with the 32-year-old is believed to be happy with the Bundesliga giant.
But that is unlikely to stop an ambitious billionaire like Ratcliffe from using every trick up his sleeve to convince the England star to make a sensational return to his homeland.
Featured image Ian MacNicol via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
