Could Harry Kane, the man who rose through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur and became their all-time leading goalscorer, really swap allegiances to join Arsenal? Paul Merson certainly seems to think so.
Harry Kane’s release clause fuels transfer speculation
Earlier this week, reports emerged of a release clause in Harry Kane’s contract at Bayern Munich, igniting fresh transfer rumours – the English striker, who moved to the Bundesliga giants in 2023, is said to have a £54m release clause that becomes active next winter.
This figure has raised eyebrows across the football world, particularly given Kane’s continued dominance on the pitch.
Since his move to Bayern, Kane has shown no signs of slowing down. Having scored 280 goals in 435 appearances for Tottenham, the 31-year-old has seamlessly carried that form to Germany, netting an impressive 70 goals in just 72 games for the Bundesliga leaders.
For Tottenham fans, Kane’s departure was a bittersweet moment. Nevertheless, his relationship with Spurs remains strong, and his contribution to their history is etched in the club’s folklore.
Paul Merson wants Arsenal to sign Harry Kane
Paul Merson made headlines with his surprising suggestion that Arsenal should make a move for Kane if the striker becomes available.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Arsenal midfielder did not hold back, arguing that Arsenal should seize the opportunity to sign a proven goalscorer like Kane for a bargain fee of £64m.
He said: “I mean, if he’s available, you’ve got to weigh it up. For me, it is [a bargain]. People will go ‘Oh, he’s this age, he’s that age’, but Arsenal need now.
“People have said about [Mohamed] Salah, and I’ve said I wouldn’t give Salah a three-year contract, I’d give him one or two, but I wouldn’t give him a three-year contract. But that’s different because Liverpool will probably go on to win the league this year.
“But if Arsenal haven’t won the league, you’ve got to take a chance and find someone who is proven. I wouldn’t be surprised. When you’ve got Harry Kane there and you go ‘right, he can go for £64million’, there are only a couple of teams who can buy him.
“Manchester City aren’t going to buy him, Manchester United and what you heard over the [Mathys] Tel situation, that was worrying that they couldn’t pay the loan deal. That’s it.
“Maybe Tottenham might buy him back, but he will have to win something here at Bayern Munich to go back to Tottenham because if you don’t win anything at Bayern Munich, you are not going to go back to Tottenham to win nothing.”
Harry Kane to Arsenal is a pipe dream
It is almost laughable to imagine Harry Kane donning Arsenal colours after everything he has achieved at Tottenham Hotspur. Kane is Spurs through and through, and it is clear that he still holds a deep affection for the club.
His actions during Tottenham’s transfer saga with Mathys Tel, where he reportedly played a role in convincing the teenager to join Spurs, only reinforce the idea that he remains connected to the club.
The notion that Arsenal—a club that has not lifted a major trophy since 2020—could lure Kane away from Bayern feels far-fetched. While Arsenal have certainly improved under Mikel Arteta, they still lack the allure of consistent success that a player of Kane’s calibre craves.
If Kane ever returns to the Premier League, it is far more likely that he would seek a homecoming at Tottenham. It would be the perfect ending for a player who gave his best years to the Lilywhites, helping them secure the silverware that eluded him during his initial spell.