Those at the top of the Manchester United hierarchy are growing in confidence that the Red Devils can secure a marquee summer transfer for Tottenham talisman Harry Kane, which will be music to the ears of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The England captain has long been linked with a move to Manchester, having been touted with both City and United in recent seasons, but it is currently the Red Devils thought to be leading the charge for Kane's signature. However, the chances of seeing the Spurs striker don the famous red shirt depend on where his current club finish this season.
Should Spurs fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, it is likely that chairman Daniel Levy will have no choice but to lower his asking price. In turn, United will be able to lure Kane to Old Trafford for less than the £100million figure Antonio Conte's side are currently demanding.
A recent report from The Sun has claimed that United have already reached out to Kane's representatives and are pleased with the kind of enthusiasm they were met with.
Ironically, United may now be hoping that fierce rivals Liverpool pip Spurs to the post when it comes to Champions League qualification for next season. As things stand, the momentum is with Jurgen Klopp's men who are just three points behind Spurs, boasting a game in hand and a superior goal difference.
If United were able to land Kane, it would certainly be a signing that is greeted positively by club icon Ferguson, who is known admirer of the England skipper. Recently asked which current player he'd have liked to have managed at Old Trafford, he identified the Spurs star.
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Ferguson also discussed United's need for a striker after the club's Carabao Cup triumph last month, as he explained how Marcus Rashford is not the traditional leading man the club need and shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of scoring the goals alone.
"I don't think he's [Rashford] a striker," the Scot told Sky Sports. "He operates away from the left-hand side and has been fantastic.
"His finishing is always good, always keeps his shots down – which is really important for a striker – and is in a great vein of form. Unfortunately for us, he's the main source of goals – we could do with an extra one, but he's doing it."
This is where Kane would enter the fray if United get their way. The 29-year-old's Spurs contract expires in the summer of 2024, which means this coming summer presents Levy's last realistic chance to gain any kind of significant compensation for the striker's departure.
