CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs claims “it is too early to be talking about” Man Utd making a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
with the rumours building as Man Utd look likely to qualify for the Champions League.
Erik ten Hag has already won silverware this season, which is exactly what Kane is craving, and he has two more chances to bring more trophies back to Old Trafford this term with Man Utd still in the FA Cup and Europa League.
It is unclear exactly how much Tottenham would demand from Man Utd in the summer if the Red Devils attempted to buy Kane, .
And Jacobs insists that there is still “optimism and calmness at Tottenham about the situation being in their control” as they hope Kane stays in north London.
Jacobs told TEAMtalk in an exclusive: “I think the first thing to say about Harry Kane is that Spurs have always been quite calm about the situation, but the project at the moment is not moving in the right direction. And that breeds uncertainty.
“From Kane’s perspective, he wants to stay at Tottenham in an ideal world. But he also wants to win things and play Champions League football. So the big thing at the beginning of the season was about Tottenham backing up last campaign and going well in the Champions League.
“But because Tottenham are out of the Champions League, finishing in the top four is now going to be very significant over his future. This is a very pivotal time for Harry Kane, because the next decision he makes is going to be the last big renewal during his career.
“As a consequence, if he stays at Tottenham, he has to believe that the club are moving in the right direction. At the moment, I think Kane still feels like things are in his control. And if he can fire Spurs into the top four, then he will probably agree a new deal. So there still is optimism and calmness at Tottenham about the situation being in their control.”
And Jacobs has outlined the reasons why it is “a little bit premature” to presume that Man Utd would be prepared to pay a huge sum for Kane this summer.
Jacobs added: “If things change, and Tottenham ended up not securing Champions League football – and you can understand why Kane would delay a little bit and see how the season pans out – then there will be a high volume of suitors that are interested in him.
“And Manchester United are the Premier League club that are being increasingly linked. It’s premature at the moment to be speaking of a deal progressing.
“And the other thing, of course from Manchester United’s position is that the fee that would be required to prise Harry Kane away from Spurs, even with contract uncertainty, is big enough that it is too early to be talking about Manchester United committing to that. Ultimately, we don’t know what’s going to happen with the sale process.
“And this is the thing! Even if Spurs get told by Kane that he doesn’t want to extend, you’ve still got to deal with Daniel Levy. And in all likelihood, United would need to pay in excess of £85m, and some even say £100m-plus in order to get Harry Kane.”