As the new Premier League season approaches, Harry Kane remains in limbo, with Bayern Munich refusing to accept Tottenham’s asking price.
In a stinging attack in the German media, Bayern Munich has been encouraged not to sign Harry Kane this summer.
Kane, who turned 30 last week, wants to join the Bundesliga giants, but Tottenham will not let him go without a fight. Despite the fact that the England captain is in the final year of his contract, Spurs are asking a club-record sum from Bayern, which would make Kane the third most expensive English player of all time, after Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.
While the 10-in-a-row Bundesliga champions haven’t been completely deterred by such demands, sections of the German media are beginning to question their arduous approach. Without a top-level striker since star Robert Lewandowski left for Barcelona last summer, one columnist from popular newspaper BILD has gone on record to oppose Bayern’s pursuit, slamming Kane in the process.
Raimund Hinko, described as a legendary sports reporter who’s covered the Bavarian club for decades, reckons that he would be a waste of money, urging Bayern to end their game of “poker.” Hinko wrote: “Of course, I wish I had never had to write that letter.
“Perhaps it’s a last-ditch effort to keep you, who watch over the weal and woe of FC Bayern, from spending €100m or more on a – sorry – 30-year-old bone. Although, I apologise again to all players over 30, there are quite a number of mature, experienced professionals who have stayed young, who are in top shape, whose careers are only just beginning at 30.”
He later added: “Why the hell are Tottenham now even making fun of FC Bayern and spreading rumours that they want to buy Mathys Tel (Bayern’s highly-rated 18-year-old French forward). You can’t let Tottenham show you up, dear Bayern officials. Don’t ridicule. Who are they from this London suburb anyway? English champions in Stone Age football 62 and 72 years ago.”
For now, talks are ongoing between all parties with the view to thrashing out a deal. Tottenham acknowledge that if they don’t sanction Kane’s exit, they risk losing their talisman for free next summer when his £200,000-a-week deal expires – and he could join a Premier League rival.
However, BILD have reported that Kane could choose to buy out the final year of his Spurs contract for around £20m, allowing him to join Bayern without a transfer fee. That would be a statement of how much he wants to leave his beloved side, although newly-appointed Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is calm over the situation.
The Premier League kick-off is on August 12. You can sign up for 18 months now for a cut price deal which will mean you’ll see all the Premier League action throughout the 2023/2024 season as it unfolds.
“I had a good chat with Harry,” Postecoglou explained, speaking earlier this month. “It was nothing earth-shattering as people are seeking. Just a good chat, introduced myself, and we spoke mainly about the club, where it’s at and where he thinks can improve.”
The Spurs boss then vowed: “There are a lot of people who know Harry better than me, but he’s not going to get phased by anything. He’s here and while he’s here, he’s totally committed to what we’re doing, and that’s the way I’ve seen things.
