Manchester City want Harry Kane to replace Sergio Aguero, but The Sun say Pep Guardiola is resigned to not signing him this summer. It’s certainly good news that we won’t have the entire transfer window dominated by reports, but the truth is that no club in the world will be able to pry Kane from our hands anyway.
Lucrative and long-term deal keeps Kane here for his best years
We were smart to tie down Kane for six years back in 2018 because it means he’ll stay in North London until he’s 31. He’ll be a Tottenham player as he reaches his peak and we’ll only have a decision to make on his future when he enters the eve of his career.
Kane has made 287 appearances in all competitions since rising through the youth ranks to our first-team in 2013/14, scoring 188 goals with 30 assists. He’s bagged 17 league goals or more in his last six seasons but injuries have depleted his playing time in recent years (3342/5220 minutes in 2018/19 and 3040/4680 minutes in 2019/20).
The 27-year-old’s lucrative wages may be hard for suitors to match too. As per the Telegraph, Kane doubled his pay in 2018 to £200k-per-week/£10.4m-a-year, meaning there are only eight players in the Premier League earning more than Kane – David De Gea (£375k-per-week/£19.5m-a-year), Kevin De Bruyne (£321k-per-week/£16.7m-a-year), Alexis Sanchez (£315k-per-week/£16.4m-a-year), Raheem Sterling (£300k-per-week/£15.6m-a-year), Paul Pogba (£288k-per-week/£15.1m-a-year), Mesut Ozil (£269k-per-week/£14m-a-year), Anthony Martial (£250k-per-week/£13m-a-year) and Sergio Aguero (£230k-per-week/£12m-a-year) – as per Spotrac.
What could make Kane leave?
Another season finishing outside of the Champions League places won’t help. Prior to last season (59), the last time we posted a points tally below 60 was all the way back in 2009 – 8th in the Premier League on 51 points. If Kane doesn’t believe we’re moving forward, he may consider his future.
Jose Mourinho’s appointment last year suggests Daniel Levy isn’t throwing in the towel, but our lack of a transfer kitty may hamper our bid for a top-four finish in 2020/21.
It’s been reported that Danny Rose, Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth and Cameron Carter-Vickers could be sold to generate funds, so it’s hard to see any big-names coming through to door to transform us next season.
If we want Kane for the long-term, we can’t afford another year of disappointment.