Harry Kane looks set to be the subject of significant transfer interest once again this summer. Having been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City two years ago, it now appears to be City's rivals United who will be the centre of attention when it comes to Kane's future.
Once this season draws to a close, Kane will have just one year left on his Tottenham contract, and Spurs' all-time top goalscorer with have a big decision to make. After failing to bag the England international in 2021, City have moved on having signed Erling Haaland the following summer.
Instead, United now look best-placed to bring Kane to the north-west, as the Red Devils are in need of a lethal striker, and have also been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen. However, City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his city rivals of the difficulties in completing this particular deal, and that they may be better off looking elsewhere for a more straightforward agreement.
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Addressing their high-profile swoop for Kane at the time, Guardiola said: "We are interested in him, but if Spurs don't want to negotiate then there is nothing more to say. If they want to, we will try, that's all. He's a player for Tottenham and if they don't want to negotiate then it's finished.
"If they are open to negotiation, Manchester City and all the clubs in the world want to try to sign him. But it depends on Tottenham."
The Premier League champions were priced out of a move for Kane in 2021. To succeed where City failed, United face the unenvious task of negotiating with Daniel Levy who has notoriously made life difficult for prospective buyers during his Tottenham tenure.
However, two summers ago the odds were stacked in his favour. Now, Kane will have entered the final year of his deal, and another campaign without a trophy may have increased his appetite to seek pastures new.
While he was clearly frustrated with how negotiations panned out during their own pursuit, Guardiola remains a huge fan of the forward, and believes Erik ten Hag would have landed a world-class talent if they can get the deal over the line.
"We are extremely happy with Erling and, of course, I think Tottenham are extremely happy with Harry. What an exceptional player; the numbers and, more than the goals, the quality," he added after Kane's winner gunned down City in their Premier League match last month.
"That they didn't win a title [doesn't mean] he's not a good player. I think he's proved that. Harry Kane remains one of the best strikers I have ever seen in my life."
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