Tottenham legend Chris Waddle has opined that it would be a ‘strange’ move if Manchester United signed Harry Kane as the striker is not particularly good fit for Erik Ten Hag’s style of play.
With Kane now into the final 18 months of his contract (Transfermarkt), the speculation over the striker’s future continues to intensify as we get closer to the summer.
The Telegraph revealed two weeks ago that amidst interest from Manchester United, Daniel Levy would be prepared to sell the 29-year-old for £100m in the summer if the player does not sign a new deal over the coming months.
However, Football Insider suggested a couple of days ago that Spurs no longer believe that the England captain’s future is tied to that of Antonio Conte, describing the development as a ‘huge’ boost to the North London club’s hopes of tying the striker down to a new contract.
Waddle believes that there are number nines that would better suit Ten Hag’s style of play since the Dutchman wants his forwards to press from the front.
When asked about the speculation linking Kane with a move to Old Trafford, the former Spurs winger told The Sun: “It would be a bit of a strange one; Harry Kane’s a great footballer and his goal record is phenomenal, I think he could fit into most teams.
“But normally I’ve got to say that Ten Hag likes somebody who starts the pressing, that’s why he’s brought in Wout Weghorst. Obviously, he’s not Harry Kane but the lad works very hard, he brings players up the field.
“He likes to go and press and that starts Man Utd’s game plan. I don’t think that’s Harry Kane’s strength, turning and chasing different centre-halves down, he’s a different type of player.
“If you’re going to play a different style of football then obviously Harry Kane, as he does for Tottenham, he wants to come off the centre-halves and link the play, gets into little pockets where he’s hard to pick up.
“So, it would be a strange one I think for Ten Hag given the way he likes to play. It would look strange how Harry Kane would actually fit in with the way he plays. But he’s obviously a goalscorer and Man Utd want somebody.
“I know Marcus Rashford’s doing it at the minute but they need somebody up there whose going to get 20 goals plus every season.”
Waddle also suggested that clubs would be taking a big risk by spending big money on a player who will be 30 in the summer.
He continued: “It’s a hard one. Listen it’s going to cost a lot of money to get him out of his contract, whether these clubs are willing to pay.
“I think he’s 29 now, so it’ll be his last big contract for a four or five-year deal I’d think. It’s a big decision for any club to say we want Harry Kane. I understand why a lot of big clubs are linked with him, because as I said he’s a very good player.
“You’re taking a risk on him aren’t you, so it’s basically shelling out money to win honours. Now if you’re winning trophies then it’s been worthwhile, but if you don’t win trophies then a lot of people will say it wasn’t money well spent.
“Everybody is a gamble at modern-day prices, but the one thing with Harry Kane is that he is proven, and I’m sure Man Utd would be buying a player who could easily fit into Man Utd.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Waddle’s point about Ten Hag’s style of play is correct but most managers in world football would be happy to tweak the way they play if they have an opportunity to sign a player of Kane’s quality.
If Ten Hag decides that Victor Osimhen would be a better fit for United’s style of play, that significantly increases the chances of Kane putting pen to paper on a new contract at Spurs.