Harry Kane ‘increasingly likely’ to stay at Spurs despite being given go-ahead for £104m move to Bayern Munich
ENGLAND captain Harry Kane was yesterday given the go-ahead for a mega-money move from Spurs to German big-shots Bayern Munich.
The Premier League side finally accepted an offer of £104million after rejecting three bids.
Last night Harry, 30, was still yet to sign — despite vowing his future must be decided before Spurs start the new season on Sunday.
But amid reports that he was having second thoughts and would stay, Bayern sources said the club were confident of landing Harry.
The England striker has the choice between playing Champions League football and finally winning silverware or remaining in London and trying to break the Premier League goal record.
Kane is understood to have settled personal terms which would see his wages double, and has taken his family to scout for a new home.
But there is speculation that he has become worried about uprooting pregnant wife Katie, 29, and children Ivy, four, Vivienne Jane, two, and Louis, six months.
Bayern, who have been European champions six times and won the German title 33 times, were sure they had their man.
They have agreed a deal with Tottenham worth up to £104million after long weeks of negotiations.
Spurs — who last won a major trophy when they lifted the League Cup in 2008 — had previously turned down three offers.
Kane then set a deadline to bring the will-he-won’t-he saga to a head.
He insisted it had to be sorted before new boss Ange Postecoglou’s men kick off the new campaign at Brentford on Sunday.
Harry’s delay in signing the deal yesterday led to fears among some that he was turning his back on a £22million-a-year payday.
Amid all the confusion late last night, it was reported that Kane has agreed to join Bayern on a proposed four-year contract.
He was leaning towards staying at his boyhood club but opted to leave at the last minute, according to sports website The Athletic.
He has been given permission by Spurs to travel for medical tests that will finalise the deal, it was said.
But other sources said the complexity of the deal honed by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy meant it “might not be concluded quickly”.
A breakthrough would end a stellar Spurs career spanning 20 years at the North London club.
Kane netted 30 times last season despite playing in a lacklustre Spurs side which finished ia disappointing eighth.
That left the North London club without European football.
He was said to have been impressed by the siren call of Bayern’s former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and the hope of Champions League glory with the current Bundesliga champs.
And though he might not be a drinker, his mates could have been looking forward to him living near the world-famous Oktoberfest and its beer halls.
The average German spends about £3.50 for a pint — about 36 per cent less for a typical beer than in London.
Even if he did not fancy a stein or two, he could chill out in the Bavarian city’s impressive main park.
Called the Englischer Garten — English Garden — it is the size of 690 football pitches.
Yet Kane — Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer and winner of the 2018 World Cup golden boot for the Three Lions — is known to have been eyeing up Newcastle legend Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals.
He is currently 47 behind Shearer, but has already broken Wayne Rooney’s all-time England scoring record — getting his 56th goal in June.
He has been Spurs’ undoubted star every year since 2014, but has just two League Cup runners-up medals to his name.
He played a four-goal starring role in Sunday’s 5-1 friendly win over Shakhtar Donetsk which could be his last game for Spurs.
The club valued him at £200million at one point and there were claims Levy would have accepted £150million in talks with Manchester City in 2021.
But the continuing wrangle over his future is piling more pressure on the Spurs hierarchy — as they will not make a penny if he leaves on a free transfer after his contract expires next year.
Bayern boss Tuchel has been confident of getting his man, and fans hoped their city would provide a further lure.
It is also home to the spectacular Olympic Park. Built for the 1972 Olympics, it hosts a variety of major concerts.
Kane could also find inspiration for expanding his luxury car collection by visiting the BMW museum.
The city has plenty for his family too — including Hellabrunn Zoo, ranked among the best safari parks in Europe.
Spurred to train
ANY uncertainty in Harry Kane’s mind over where he will be playing this season didn’t show in his training session with Spurs on Wednesday.
The striker played a full part in team drills despite ongoing speculation.
The squad had a rest day yesterday but Kane is said to enjoy working under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
