England’s forward Harry Kane inspects the pitch ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London on July 11, 2021. (Photo by FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / POOL / AFP)
Harry Kane ended speculation over his future by announcing on Wednesday that he will remain at Tottenham this season.
Manchester City were interested in the England captain as a long-term successor to all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero.
But with three years left to run on Kane’s contract, even the deep pockets of the Abu-Dhabi owned Premier League champions could not tempt Spurs chairman Daniel Levy into selling.
AFP Sport looks at what Kane staying put means for the player, City and Tottenham.
Can Kane satisfy trophy quest?
Behind Kane’s desire to leave his boyhood club was a desire not to end his career known only for individual awards and goalscoring milestones.
At 28, he has still not to win a single trophy for club or country and saw City, who have won five of the last 10 Premier League titles, as the surest bet to satisfy his quest for silverware.
For the second consecutive season Spurs have failed to qualify for the Champions League and Kane may be pressed into his first start of the season on Thursday to rescue his side from a 1-0 deficit just to reach the group stages of the Europa Conference League.
It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support I've had in the last few weeks. 👏⚽
I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and will be 100% focused on helping the team achieve success. #COYS pic.twitter.com/uTN78tHlk1
— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 25, 2021
However, Kane has also been conscious of the need to rebuild bridges with the Spurs supporters, who had been scorned by the man they call “one of our own.”
Despite the doubts over his future, Kane was given a rousing reception by the away support on his return to action away at Wolves on Sunday and referenced that in his statement announcing he would be staying put.
“It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support I’ve had in the last few weeks,” Kane tweeted.
Can City cope without a striker
Aguero’s final years in Manchester were blighted by injuries but City made light of playing without a recognized striker last season as they stormed to the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final for the first time.
However, Pep Guardiola wanted Kane as a guarantee of goals from the chances created by his host of creative midfielders.
City’s lack of a focal point was exposed in losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League final in May and by a Kane-less Tottenham on the opening weekend of the season.
We've been drawn at home to @wwfcofficial in the third round of the @Carabao_Cup! 👊
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/yn0m876d5w
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 25, 2021
Guardiola has insisted he will be happy with his squad even if a move for Kane did not materialize.
But Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been at the centre of rumors of a sensational return to England, this time for the blue half of Manchester, is a potential back-up option.
City have already broken the English transfer record this window, spending £100 million ($139 million) on Jack Grealish to add to a forward line already boasting Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus.
But if City fall short in the Champions League once more, they may regret not getting their primary target.
Spurs’ sigh of relief
“It is great news for everybody,” said new Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who can now look forward to his first season in charge with Kane on his side.
The Portuguese has made a bright start, taking maximum points from their opening two Premier League games despite Kane only making a late substitute appearance at Wolves.
Nuno’s task will be to get Spurs back into the Champions League, but will need Kane performing at his best if they are to overhaul one of City, Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool to get into the top four.
Levy’s stubborn stance has been rewarded by holding on to his prized asset.
With three years still to run on a six-year contract, Spurs could afford to demand a fee well in excess of the record fee City paid for Grealish.
Levy knew even with cash to splash, Spurs could not attract a replacement on the same level and also had to keep the fans onside to fill the club’s new 62,000 stadium that has been lying empty for over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.