Opinion: Three possible Harry Kane replacements for Spurs if the worst happens

Having returned to his brilliant best this season, rumours linking Harry Kane with a move to Bayern Munich simply refuse to go away (TZ), with the Bavarians CEO Oliver Kahn openly admirable about the Englishman (Sky Germany).

There’s no doubt Kane is amongst the world’s elite forwards; year after year recording unprecedented goal returns that any team would covet.

Having lost serial goalscorer Robert Lewandowski last summer, Bayern Munich will certainly be in the market for a striker across the next two windows with Kane representing an ideal replacement for the Pole.

For Spurs fans, the prospect of losing Kane is almost unfathomable, but if such a day does arise, here are three potential replacements for the talisman.

Richarlison

In welcoming Richarlison from Everton in the summer, Kane’s long-term replacement may well already be at the club.

Whilst we have only seen the forward operate from wide in a Spurs shirt, he is adept at playing centrally as he did for Watford, Everton, and most notably Brazil.

Granted, at club level, Richarlison’s scoring rate is nothing to wax lyrical about, however, his record of 19 goals in 39 international appearances is more than respectable (Transfermarkt).

Moreover, in playing centrally in sides such as Spurs or Brazil, the former Everton man may find himself on the end of high-quality chances more frequently in place of Kane.

Admittedly, if this ever was to be the case, Spurs fans would understandably want to have seen more in terms of returns from Richarlison to fully trust him to spearhead our attack, as with just two goals in 15 appearances for the Lilywhites he’s hardly comparable to Kane.

That being said, there’s no doubt of his finishing when given the chance, so the Brazilian is certainly a credible option.

Lautaro Martinez

In the event that Kane does depart in the near future, one such name that will likely be on Tottenham’s radar to replace the Englishman is Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

It’s no secret Spurs held an interest in Marinez in the past; being painfully close to a switch to North London in the summer of 2021.

Since then, Spurs have been continually linked with the Argentine, as his combination of pace and ability would see him make a fine replacement for Kane.

Martinez boasts a fine record since arriving in Serie A, recording 14+ goals in each of his last three seasons and looking on track to maintain this in 2022/23.

Moreover, in taking 3.83 shots per 90 (FB Ref) – similar to Kane, he ranks amongst the top six percent of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues for said metric which is a desired trait in an elite-level striker.

A caveat to Martinez could be the fee presumably needed to prize him from Inter, but considering that Kane would hardly be sold cheaply we would likely have the funds to reinvest in the frontline.

The Argentine represents a ready-made option in place of our current talisman, so would ultimately be a strong candidate if Kane was to depart.

Jonathan David

Whilst Lille’s Jonathan David is perhaps a less high-profile option than some would want in replacement of Kane, the Canadian has caught the eye of several of Europe’s top clubs in recent years.

The forward has been vocal in his desire for a new challenge in the near future, and at just 22 is one of Ligue 1’s hottest prospects.

Scoring 13 and 15 times in the last two respective seasons marks impressive returns, yet with nine goals already in 2022/23 he looks to better both campaigns.

David is also a versatile option; comfortable in playing as a central striker, deeper lying playmaker, or on either flank.

Spurs would likely face tough competition to land the Canadian, with Arsenal being heavily linked to him in the summer just gone, however, he would be a viable option in replacement of Kane in terms of attainability.  

Granted, David isn’t the finished package, so reservations about him being Kane’s successor are understandable, but as somewhat of a wildcard he would certainly be worth consideration.

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