Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd urged to break bank for Tottenham star with Ten Hag told why transfer can help them win Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min (left) celebrates with Harry Kane (centre) and Cristian Romero after scoring their side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds

Manchester United have been told they should be doing all in their power to sign a world-class Tottenham star, who one pundit believes can elevate the club on to the same level as Manchester City.

United manager Erik ten Hag is carefully planning the next phase of his rebuild with the January window open for business. United have very quicky got off the mark, bringing in former England goalkeeper Jack Butland from Crystal Palace.

However, with funds likely to be tight following a mammoth £216m summer spree, Ten Hag will likely have to spend his money carefully.

In the wake of six wins in a row, hopes are growing that United can enjoy a successful campaign. And with belief growing that a return to the Champions League could be on the cards, their financial resources will enhance too.

Despite that, Roy Keane insists he is yet to be convinced by Ten Hag, with the Irishman also going all out for one United star after a high-profile blunder.

To take United to that next level, Ten Hag has made clear his wish to boost his attack. And following Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure, the Red Devils are one man light in their attack.

As a result, a number of high-profile names are being linked, ranging from Joao Felix, Marcus Thuram to Yousouffa Moukoko.

That said, Ten Hag may have to look at either a loan addition or even the bargain basement with cash, for now, likely to be tight. To that end, Saturday’s Transfer Gossip claims a Louis van Gaal flop is targeting a return to Old Trafford.

Further down the line, though, Paul Merson insists the United hierarchy should be targeting a deal for Harry Kane.

Man Utd urged to move for Harry Kane

The England captain’s deal at Tottenham expires in summer 2024, leaving Spurs in something of a flap over his future.

And while they are desperate to tie him to a new deal, they could be forced to sell him should no arrangement be reached come the summer.

Demand for the 29-year-old is likely to be high, with Bayern Munich among his suitors. And while Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could demand upwards of £100m, Merson reckons his signing can transform United to become challengers for Manchester City.

And in a dig at Tottenham, Merson claims Kane has no chance of ever winning anything with the Lilywhites.

“In an age where clubs spend money for fun and world-class centre-forwards are a rarity, I would find it crazy if Manchester United did not break the bank for Harry Kane,” Merson wrote in his column for the Daily Star.

“You can look all around the world, rack your brains and round up every scout within your network and the answer is right there in front of you. There is nobody that comes close to Kane that is currently available.

“If United ever want to catch Manchester City, they’ve got to go and get Kane. Everybody wants a striker and is searching far and wide but the best centre-forward is staring everybody in the face.

“He plays for a team in Tottenham that are going to win absolutely nothing. Surely, sooner or later his head is going to be turned by a move again.

“I don’t know what I’m missing here. Even if he costs £150m and it’s a four or five-year contract, you are buying over 100 goals. Who else is going to give you that?”

Kane on a par with Haaland

Merson reckons, with all the hype this season surrounding Erling Haaland, Kane can deliver a similar goal return for Man Utd.

“Everyone talks about Erling Haaland but for me, Kane could deliver similar numbers in that Manchester City team and even add more assists.

“Even if he couldn’t match Haaland, he wouldn’t be far off. They create so many chances. If he signed for United and they got into the top four this season, I would expect them to start winning things.”

Merson also believes that signing Kane could prove the best signing Man Utd could ever make. And he reckons his presence in a United shirt could transform the club towards Champions League glory.

That is a trophy they last won in 2008. But he reckons that long wait could end were Kane to sign on the dotted line.

“Call me silly but Kane would even give United a chance of winning the Champions League in my opinion. He is a machine. Tottenham are only where they are because of Harry Kane, it really is that simple. He is the difference.”

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