Manchester United are ready to grapple with Bayern Munich once the scramble to secure Harry Kane's signature begins at the end of the season.
Kane, 29, will have just one year remaining on his deal in the summer and has been tipped to angle for a big move in the wake of another barren season with Tottenham, who were dumped out of the Champions League in midweek.
It's already known that Erik ten Hag has set his sights on acquiring an elite No.9 ahead of next season and previous reports claimed that the Dutchman was leaning towards pursuing Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen. However, a fresh report from the Manchester Evening News has revealed that Kane - not Osimhen - is at the top of the United manager's wish list ahead of the summer transfer window.
Given that Tottenham are likely to demand a substantial sum for their talisman, it's highly unlikely the Red Devils will face competition from any of their Premier League rivals in their bid to prise Kane away from north London. But Bayern Munich are avid admirers of the England captain and are likely to emerge as United's main competition.
Given that Kane has expressed a desire to win trophies, a move to Munich would appeal; the German giants are on course to win the Bundesliga for the 11th consecutive year and are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann - like Ten Hag - is set to dip into the market in the summer to acquire a new striker after starting the campaign without a prolific No.9. Bayern have persevered with former Stoke flop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as a focal point after changing to a 3-4-2-1 shape in recent weeks, but he is not considered as a long-term option.
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Bayern have not been afraid to shout about their interest in Kane. Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn waxed lyrical about the Spurs striker earlier in the season and hinted that his club would be interested in taking him abroad.
But despite Bayern's strong interest, board member Uli Hoeness has already stressed that they would not be drawn into a "crazy" bidding war - a stance which would hand Manchester United the edge if the two clubs did go head to head for Kane's services. The scope for other potential suitors to show interest - such as Paris Saint-Germain, who could come to the table if they lose Kylian Mbappe - could also deter the reigning Bundesliga champions from firming up their interest.
"I think the transfer is totally crazy," Hoeness previously told German outlet Abendzeitung of a possible nine-figure bid for Kane. "He's a great player, no question about it, but these are amounts that I would never pay as president."
Although Kane's preference would be to remain in England as he bids to chase down Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record, he did acknowledge Bayern's interest back in October when he admitted that the German giants were a "top, top club".
