Harry Diamond
Harry Kane is said to be among ‘a number of alternatives’ being considered by Manchester City if the club fail in their pursuit of Erling Haaland this summer.
Haaland has emerged as the most sought-after player in world football following a breathtaking breakthrough onto the world scene over the past two seasons, starring for RB Salzburg before scoring 49 goals in just 49 appearances since signing for Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund currently face a fight to secure Champions League football for next season and the prospect of missing out on the competition – alongside the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic – has raised suggestions the Bundesliga side could cash in on Haaland this summer.
The 20-year-old has a release clause of €75m in his contract that will become active in 2022 and a sale this summer will allow Dortmund to command a greater fee for one of world football’s most exciting talents.
Manchester City have made the signing of Haaland their top target following the announcement that Sergio Aguero will leave the club this summer, but are considering alternatives given the wealth of competition for his signature with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United all interested, alongside European giants in Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
According to the Times, one player under consideration is Harry Kane with suggestions that the England captain is finally willing to leave Tottenham in search of elusive silverware.
Kane is yet to win a major trophy in his career and with the north London side well off the pace in the Premier League, the forward is understood to be contemplating a move to win the game’s biggest prizes.
The 27-year-old is currently the joint-leading scorer in the Premier League and his proven record in the division will appeal to Pep Guardiola’s side, though Spurs will likely demand a huge fee for Kane and will be loathed to lose him to a direct competitor.
Kane has scored 160 goals in the division and is ninth in the all-time rankings, Alan Shearer’s record of 260 within his sights should he remain in English football.
Signing for City would provide the star with a platform to challenge for major trophies with Guardiola’s side currently in pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, sitting 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League and within touching distance of a third title in just four seasons.
City will face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month and face an FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea, alongside a clash with Kane and Spurs in the Carabao Cup final.
Amongst the other names linked with the club in recent weeks include Southampton’s Danny Ings and Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, whilst speculation continues to mount over Lionel Messi with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner yet to commit his future to Barcelona.
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