Surprise as Man Utd accept defeat in race for £200m Kane and let rivals swoop

Harry Kane TEAMtalk

Manchester United have pulled out of a move for Harry Kane, leaving Manchester City and Real Madrid to battle for the Spurs goalscorer, claims a report.

England No.9 Kane has long since been reported as at target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and there’s no doubt United would love to hget their hands on the 26-year-old, but the Daily Express report they have removed themselves from the running.

The paper claims executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward “accepts the chances of getting him to Old Trafford are remote” and will therefore focus their attention elsewhere.

Any deal for Kane would likely set his suitors back something approaching a world transfer fee, with Kane contracted to Tottenham until 2024 and valued by his side at close to £200million.

Earlier in the week, sources close to Kane have told the Manchester Evening News there is ‘no chance’ of United prising Kane away from Spurs due to the length of his contract.

Sunday’s report goes on to claim that United’s change of heart means that Kane “is at the centre of a £150million tug of war between Real Madrid and Manchester City”.

 

 

 

City could be looking for a new striker this summer with the future of Leroy Sane far from clear, while Gabriel Jesus is a top target for Juventus and Sergio Aguero will turn 32 in June.

Real meanwhile have been tracking Kane for years and could be ready to make a £150m move this summer, according to the paper.

Kane has endured a difficult season, having been sidelined since New Years’ Day with a torn hamstring tendon and seen Mauricio Pochettino, whom he had a strong working relationship, replaced at the helm by Jose Mourinho.

But it is the potential failure to qualify for the Champions League that could prove the decisive trigger for an exit and the striker spoke about his future this week on an Instagram live chat and the overriding message was a mixed one.

The striker admitted to being ambitious and said: “I’m not someone to just stay there for the sake of it.”

“I’m an ambitious player, I want to improve, I want to get better, I want to become one of the top, top players.”