Harry Kane revels in North London Derbies.
The England captain has scored 14 goals in 18 appearances against Arsenal, which only serves to underline his importance to Tottenham. But Spurs face a major dilemma over Kane’s future with the clock ticking down on his contract.
It is a situation which is being closely monitored by Manchester United and Bayern Munich, among others, as this summer could present Kane with the biggest decision of his career. Tottenham are desperate to tie down Kane to a new deal as his contract has 18 months left and the idea of one of Europe’s best strikers going into the final year would be unthinkable.
That would present a massive risk for Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who could not stand to lose Kane on a free transfer, just as Spurs did with Sol Campbell 22 years ago. Kane, 29, would be a very attractive option even into his thirties and, more pressingly, a move could present him with the chance to win trophies, which has always been his burning ambition.
It is why Kane flirted with Manchester City in the summer of 2021, when he made it plain that he wanted to leave his beloved Tottenham in the search of silverware. No Tottenham fan will need reminding that the club has not won a trophy since 2008 and even serial winner Antonio Conte has admitted he will struggle to lift the biggest prizes at the club.
Those comments must have made Kane think again about where his career is going and whether it is time to leave.
What should Harry Kane do? Have your say here.
Kane is a club legend, the fans adore him and, even after his summer of discontent, they welcomed him back with open arms. Kane is a sensational striker, full of goals and his all round game has improved immeasurably down the years. There would be no shortage of takers.
When Kane missed the penalty in England’s World Cup quarter-final with France, he looked devastated and yet knew the Spurs fans would immediately mend his broken heart.
That must prompt a sense of loyalty and he could yet stay at Tottenham, become a one-club man and chase records aplenty, which is the other thing which drives him.
Kane is just two shy of hitting his second century of Premier League goals and only one away from matching Jimmy Greaves' club record of 266 goals. If he stays at Tottenham, his status as an all-time great is assured. But in later years, will there be a sense of what might have been?
That is the dilemma facing Kane - but also something for Tottenham, because if he has not signed a new contract before the end of the season, they face an even bigger dilemma.
Kane is used to being the hero of North London Derbies and another win over Arsenal would be a timely reminder of just how loved he is. But defeat by their north London rivals might also prompt him to ponder whether he needs a fresh challenge and a new club if Tottenham are falling behind the rest.
