Manchester United are reportedly preparing to step up their interest in Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and are hopeful of sealing an £80m deal this summer.
As speculation over his future continues to rumble on in the background, there has been no change in the 29-year-old's contract situation in North London.
Kane can leave Tottenham as a free agent at the end of next season as things stand, but the Lilywhites will push hard to keep their all-time top goalscorer on the books.
Talks between Kane and Spurs over a new deal are only thought to be at a preliminary stage right now, as the striker focuses on ending the season on a positive note.
Tottenham are even said to be willing to continue negotiations into the final year of Kane's deal, running the risk of letting him leave for nothing in under 18 months' time.
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However, the Lilywhites' resolve will undoubtedly be tested this summer, with Man United and Bayern Munich mooted as the two most likely destinations for the 29-year-old.
Following Thomas Tuchel's arrival at Bayern, the Bundesliga champions are said to have boosted their chances of signing Kane, but Man United have hatched a plan to beat their German counterparts to his signature.
According to the Daily Star, Man United CEO Richard Arnold has given his approval for an approach to take place, and Erik ten Hag views the England captain as his number one summer target.
The Red Devils supposedly hope that £80m will be enough to prise Kane away from the North London club, who are braced for contact from Man United within the coming weeks.
Man United plan to steal a march on their rivals by entering negotiations before the end of the season, and it is claimed that Kane views Old Trafford as his preferred destination for a summer move, in spite of interest from Chelsea and Barcelona as well.
The report adds that Ten Hag feels the acquisition of Kane will turn Man United into contenders for the Premier League title, but Daniel Levy will play hardball as per.
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The Tottenham chairman refused to sanction a nine-figure exit for Kane to Manchester City in 2021, and he would also likely be reluctant to sell to a direct Premier League rival.
However, with Kane sitting on 204 Premier League goals - 56 short of Alan Shearer's all-time record of 260 - the 29-year-old has hinted that he wants to remain in England in the hope of surpassing his compatriot.
After becoming England's all-time leading goalscorer, Kane was asked by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak if he was gunning for Shearer's all-time record, and the striker responded: "Yeah it's definitely there. I'm getting closer, so it's for sure something I want to achieve, but I try not to look too far ahead in football.
"A lot can change in a short period of time, but I'm feeling fit – I'm 29 – so hopefully got plenty of years left. For sure, it'd be something I'd love to do."
Kane has chalked up a total of 271 goals and 63 assists in 425 matches for Tottenham, but he will turn 30 this summer without having won a major team trophy.
Ben Knapton
