Manchester United face stiff competition from Spanish giants Barcelona in the pursuit of England captain Harry Kane, with bookmakers installing the La Liga champions as clear favourites for his signature.
Transfer Tussle for Bayern Munich Star
According to leading bookmakers, Barcelona have emerged as the new frontrunners to secure Harry Kane's services, potentially dealing a significant blow to Manchester United's long-term transfer ambitions. The 32-year-old striker has been in sensational form since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham in 2023, registering an incredible 108 goals and 29 assists in just 113 appearances for the German club.
The transfer speculation has intensified with the revelation that Kane's contract contains a £57 million release clause that could be activated this summer. While Manchester United have maintained their admiration for the England skipper over several years, they now find themselves playing catch-up in the race for his signature.
Barcelona's Striker Search
Barcelona's interest stems from their need to find a replacement for veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. The 37-year-old Polish international sees his current contract expire in June, prompting the Catalan club to identify Kane as their primary transfer target.
The Guardian reports that Barcelona view Kane as the perfect younger successor to Lewandowski and are prepared to trigger his release clause. This development places Manchester United in the unfamiliar position of being second favourites, with odds of 6/1 compared to Barcelona's 2/1 favouritism.
Kane's Future Considerations
While the transfer rumours continue to circulate, Kane himself has remained somewhat ambiguous about his future plans. Speaking last month, the England captain acknowledged he could potentially extend his stay in Germany, stating: "In terms of staying longer, I could definitely see that. I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation."
Perhaps more significantly for Premier League fans hoping for his return, Kane indicated that his certainty about coming back to England has diminished since his initial move abroad. "In terms of the Premier League, I don't know. If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years I would probably say that has gone down a little bit," he revealed.
According to betting odds from Esports Bets, a move to Major League Soccer ranks as the third most likely option at 8/1, followed by Newcastle United at 9/1 and a romantic return to Tottenham at 10/1. Any Saudi Pro League club sits at 12/1 in the current market.
Darragh Harbinson, spokesperson for Esports Bets, commented: "With Harry Kane's future in Germany potentially up in the air, Barcelona have emerged as the frontrunner to be the English striker's next club. Manchester United could well reignite their interest in Kane, but they face serious competition from Spain."
