'The battle of Kane': City and United clashing over a Spurs striker

They are the biggest rivals, yet they speak the same language.

"Next question. He is a Tottenham Hotspur player, please" said Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola of Harry Kane. "I can't talk about players at other teams“ said Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskajer of Harry Kane. And yet, these two clubs are leading contenders to land the Spurs striker, after he asked the North London club to sell him during the next transfer window in order to pursuit trophies elsewhere.

Here we go again - Kane expresses his desire to leave the Spurs

Off course, both coaches refused to talk of the transfer, mainly due to football courtesy, but it doesn’t mean they are not thinking about it.

„No, of course, I can't rule out signing a new striker. Yes, Edinson signed but how many good strikers have we had at this club and I can't say we're not signing a striker. Of course not because we're building, we're working towards a better squad. We're top three two years on the bounce but we are nowhere where we want to be. So, hopefully, we end up with a stronger squad when we start next season and be more consistent and challenge the ones in front of us" said Solskajer when asked about adding another striker to the squad, not naming Kane’s name directly.

And Pep Guardiola’s quotes about Kane in recent times gives you all you need to know about the Spaniards admiration of the striker. 

„He is the No 9 for the international team, he is an incredible striker and he has everything, right, left, movements, he keeps the ball and sets up the ball. He is intelligent and when he is in the box, he does everything. He is a modern striker" said Man City boss during his various meetings with Spurs.

And the race is on, with both clubs willing to offer Kane a significant wage rise. But there are two major obstacles: Tottenham and the transfer fee. Spurs chief Daniel Levy is the last person who want’s to see Kane go. The London club is without Champions League (again), failed to win the League Cup, sacked Jose Mourinho, still don’t have a manager and now their best player want’s to leave?

Kane’s request is a bad PR and Levy surely won’t admit defeat without a fight. The player has three years left to his existing contract, so Spurs have the upper hand. On the other hand, Kane is managed by CK66, an agency run by his brother and father, meaning Levy is unlikely to have the same level of influence he may have with others. The striker was also a good ’soldier’ all these years and has the respect of the whole club.

Manchester City fans will have their travels to the Champions League final paid by the club owner

Levy can still publicly say that Kane will get his wish, and then slap the transfer tag of around 23 billion Ksh. That would be a major obstacle even to Manchester City, who never spent more than 15 billion on a single player. Guardiola was also quoted saying that the club cannot afford any strikers at current prices, and that he is more likely to play without a classic forward, which he basically did this season. But, those quotes were before Kane became available.

Man United will be in even worse position. They are really stacked up front with Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial all there. And giving this ammount of money on one player would automatically rule out the possibility of bringing Jadon Sancho, their number 1 target from last season.

There is another England club in a need of a proper striker, but they happen to be based in a wrong city – London. Chelsea would have no problem paying 23 billion Ksh to get Kane, but Levy would rather sell to any other club, than a London rival. So, in reality, it will probably be Manchester City. If Daniel Levy cracks.