Talk over Harry Kane's Tottenham future will undoubtedly ramp up over the coming days following the news that emerged from the Spanish capital on Sunday morning. Heading into their final game of the 2022/23 season, Real Madrid confirmed that Karim Benzema will bring the curtain down on his career with Los Blancos following their home clash against Athletic Bilbao.
Amid plenty of speculation regarding a summer switch to Saudi Arabia, the 35-year-old will now depart the Santiago Bernabeu as the club's second all-time top goalscorer after hitting an incredible 353 goals for the Spanish giants.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club. Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends."
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It continued: "Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future. Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football.
"Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and wishes him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life. Next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 noon, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez."
It now means that Carlo Ancelotti's side will be in the market for a world-class striker this summer as they look to replace the goals of Benzema. That is a must for Los Blancos after Barcelona's La Liga title triumph and their Champions League semi-final exit in what has been a very disappointing season for the club.
Kane will be high on the list for many given his own goalscoring exploits for club and country. In what has been a truly dismal year for Spurs, the striker, who will turn 30 later next month, still managed to contribute with 32 goals in 49 games despite the team's woes.
Soon set to enter the final year of his contract, talk of Kane exiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will not go away until either he pens a new deal in north London or he moves on for a new challenge elsewhere. Manchester United have been heavily linked with the player as they look to take their attack to the next level in their quest to win major trophies once again, and they may now have a new competitor in Real Madrid if the Spanish side decide to move for the England captain.
Speaking two years ago in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Kane was asked about a potential move abroad but he dismissed the idea of that happening in the near future. "Of course there's always the option of maybe moving abroad one day but I don't think that really interests me in the near future," he said.
During the interview, Kane also expressed his desire of wanting to break Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goalscoring record of 260 goals. The Tottenham man is now only 47 goals away from equalling the ex-Newcastle United man's tally following his incredible year at Spurs that saw him notch 30 goals.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't (want the Premier League record)," he admitted, "I think if I get to the end and I haven't broke that record and the Wayne Rooney England record then I'd probably be a little disappointed in myself."
Kane was recently quizzed about his Tottenham future following the team's final home game of the season, a match which they lost 3-1 against Brentford. Asked by the Evening Standard if it could be his final outing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he replied: "I’ve said all along I’m focused on this season and trying to help the team as much as possible. That’s all I can do.
"There’s a big summer ahead and a lot that needs to change here to start being successful again. Ultimately my focus now is to enjoy this last week as much as possible and try to finish with a win [at Leeds United] on Sunday."
The frontman did hint at a potential conversation with chairman Daniel Levy as the club look for a new head coach and managing director of football ahead of the new campaign.
"I think there’s a conversation [with the chairman] to be had anyway in terms of some of the values of the club," he revealed. "It will be a conversation, we’ve had many conversations before like that on how we can improve, and that will be the case again."
A summer of change at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs supporters will be praying that Kane commits his long-term future to the club as they look to get back on track and move forward. Real Madrid could have something to say in that now, though, following confirmation of Benzema's departure at the end of the campaign.
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