Manchester United have reportedly pulled out of the running to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The Red Devils are believed to have been one of a few top European clubs lining up bids for the England captain amid ever-growing speculation surrounding his future.
Kane is only under contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2024, and the 29-year-old could therefore depart as a free agent next summer if no renewal is agreed.
The striker has put himself in the shop window on the back of another stunning individual campaign, scoring 30 goals in the 2022-23 Premier League season to overtake Wayne Rooney into second place in the all-time charts.
Kane is still 47 behind Alan Shearer's all-time high of 260 but is known to be gunning for his compatriot's record, seemingly suggesting that Man United would be his most likely destination this summer.
© Reuters
However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to sell Kane full stop, let alone to one of his team's direct Premier League rivals, and the Daily Mail claims that Man United have withdrawn their interest as a result.
Having to directly negotiate with Levy was believed to have been a major factor in Man United's decision-making, and Tottenham are also expecting bids of at least £100m to sell this summer.
Man United's stance could open the door for several foreign teams to pursue deals for Kane, who is also thought to be on the radar of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
Real and Bayern are on the lookout for successors to Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski respectively, while PSG could try to get Kylian Mbappe off the books this summer.
Los Blancos have been considered the most likely candidates to sign Kane, but Mbappe is believed to be higher up on Florentino Perez's shortlist given that the Tottenham man wants to remain in England.
© Reuters
Kane leads the way in Tottenham's scoring charts with 280 goals in all competitions since his first-team debut, but he will turn 30 this summer still waiting for his first major team trophy.
As well as the England captain no longer being a leading target for Man United, the report adds that Napoli's Victor Osimhen has been taken off their transfer wishlist due to his own nine-figure price tag.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani has confirmed that he would be open to a move to the Premier League amid links with the Red Devils, but Die Adler are likely to command at least £100m as well.
Atalanta BC youngster Rasmus Hojlund is therefore considered a more realistic target, and Erik ten Hag's side could reportedly seal the Dane's signature for as little as £40m this summer.
The Red Devils are not expected to sign Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst on a permanent basis, while Anthony Martial could also be sold this summer following an injury-hit season.
Ben Knapton
