The chances of Manchester United signing Harry Kane this summer have been revealed – and Ben Jacobs says Erik ten Hag and Co will need to clear three major hurdles if they are to sign the Tottenham striker.

The England captain’s future is once again the subject of intense speculation. Tottenham’s woeful exit from the Champions League last week, together with their FA Cup chances also ending, have put the spotlight firmly back on his head.

And with his deal expiring in summer 2024, reports are growing that Kane could perform a U-turn and reject their proposals.

Indeed, while already established as the club’s record-ever goalscorer, Kane has everything in place to one day break Alan Shearer’s all-time top Premier League goals mark. Currently on 203 goals from 306 games, the 29-year-old needs another 58 goals to set a new, all-time high.

However, it is the lack of trophies at Spurs that potentially could drive him away. And claims that he needs to pick Manchester United and transform them into potential Champions League winners is being led by Ian Wright.

As it stands, Kane is due to hold further talks on his future at Tottenham this summer.

The striker has previously indicated a willingness to stay. And for that reason, Spurs reportedly remain relaxed over the saga.

However, much has happened since then and trusted journalist Jacobs has told TEAMtalk why the situation remains very much up in the air.

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Tottenham in control of Harry Kane situation

“I think the first thing to say about Harry Kane is that Spurs have always been quite calm about the situation, but the project at the moment is not moving in the right direction,” Jacobs said. “And that breeds uncertainty.

“From Kane’s perspective, he wants to stay at Tottenham in an ideal world. But he also wants to win things and play Champions League football. So the big thing at the beginning of the season was about Tottenham backing up last campaign and going well in the Champions League.

“But because Tottenham are out of the Champions League, finishing in the top four is now going to be very significant over his future. This is a very pivotal time for Harry Kane, because the next decision he makes is going to be the last big renewal during his career.

“As a consequence, if he stays at Tottenham, he has to believe that the club are moving in the right direction. At the moment, I think Kane still feels like things are in his control. And if he can fire Spurs into the top four, then he will probably agree a new deal. So there still is optimism and calmness at Tottenham about the situation being in their control.”

However, should Tottenham fail to finish in the top four, then there remains a serious chance Kane could depart. And that will open up a potential pathway to Manchester United to make their move.

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Man Utd chances of Harry Kane transfer assessed

But, as Jacobs points out, they would still need to negotiate with Daniel Levy which could prove problematic.

“If things change, and Tottenham ended up not securing Champions League football – and you can understand why Kane would delay a little bit and see how the season pans out – then there will be a high volume of suitors that are interested in him.

“And Manchester United are the Premier League club that are being increasingly linked. It’s premature at the moment to be speaking of a deal progressing.

“And the other thing, of course from Manchester United’s position is that the fee that would be required to prise Harry Kane away from Spurs, even with contract uncertainty, is big enough that it is too early to be talking about Manchester United committing to that. Ultimately, we don’t know what’s going to happen with the sale process.

“So although their recruitment team are looking at options for traditional strikers, and Harry Kane is a player that they appreciate and so is Victor Osimhen, it still remains a little bit premature to say that Manchester United would commit financially to the type of numbers needed to get Kane away from Tottenham.

“And this is the thing! Even if Spurs get told by Kane that he doesn’t want to extend, you’ve still got to deal with Daniel Levy. And in all likelihood, United would need to pay in excess of £85m, and some even say £100m-plus in order to get Harry Kane.”

Bayern Munich ruled out of Kane race

Jacobs continued: “We saw this when Kane was subject of Manchester City links before Erling Haaland arrived. And Levy basically turned around to City and said ‘you either stump up close to £200m or you walk away’.

“So it’s about persuading Kane, who’s still in love with Spurs even if the project has had its wobbles this season. And it’s about negotiating with Daniel Levy. It’s about paying a large amount of money, even though the contract situation should, in theory play into his hands.

“And that means that time is going to be needed to understand first and foremost what is possible, because suitors won’t want to commit to this and invest in this.

“If though, Kane does decide to leave and take up another challenge, I think it will be within the Premier League.

“I know that Kane’s long been linked with Bayern Munich, as well. But my understanding is that at this stage in his career, he still sees himself as a Premier League player.

“It won’t be easy either for a team outside of the Premier League to afford Kane both in terms of that transfer fee, but also the financial package that he would expect. And that is why a move to a club like Manchester United will be more feasible if Tottenham are unable to agree an extension.”

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