Paul Merson has claimed that Manchester United can challenge for the title next season if they sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice this summer. However, he has tipped Kane to remain at Tottenham and focus on becoming the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer.
Rice could leave West Ham after another standout season in the search of trophies and Champions League football. Meanwhile, Kane who was heavily linked with Manchester City last summer is expected to be at the centre of more transfer speculation after yet another season without silverware.
Kane, who has spent his entire career at Tottenham, turns 29 before the next season starts and is still yet to win a major trophy. His current contract runs until the summer of 2024, and in all likelihood he will either put pen to paper on a new long term deal soon or be sold before his value significantly depreciates.
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The Spurs talisman became England’s joint second highest goalscorer alongside Sir Bobby Charlton after netting in last week's friendly win over Switzerland, his 49th goal for his country. And Merson believes Kane’s priority will be claiming the Premier League record for himself as opposed to winning trophies.
“Kane’s future has once again come under the limelight and it’ll be up to him this summer,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “Manchester City are reportedly in for Erling Haaland so they may not come back in for him, so could it probably be Manchester United? If they get Kane and Declan Rice, I think they can challenge next season under a good manager.
“Will he look to move on in search of trophies or stay at Tottenham to break Alan Shearer’s goal scoring record? Something tells me he might stay - his mind is probably made up already!”
Shearer’s record stands at 260 goals, Kane trails that total by 82 and will no doubt have his eye on breaking it. However, it remains to be seen if he opts to stay at Spurs in order to claim it for himself.
