Tottenham Hotspur 'very optimistic of new Harry Kane contract'

Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly "very optimistic" about their chances of tying talisman Harry Kane down to a new contract.

The England captain has entered the final 18 months of his existing deal with Antonio Conte's side, who are fighting tooth and nail to tie him to fresh terms.

Since Kane tried and failed to leave the club in 2021 amid interest from Manchester United and Manchester City, the striker has led Tottenham back into the Champions League and equalled Jimmy Greaves's all-time scoring record of 266 goals.

With the World Cup now over, speculation over Kane's future is heating up once again, and Man United have supposedly reignited their interest in the 29-year-old as they search for a permanent successor to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bayern Munich have also been closely monitoring Kane's performances following the exit of Robert Lewandowski for Barcelona, and club chiefs have waxed lyrical about the Tottenham man in the past few months.

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Kane recently revealed that he expects to hold contract talks with Tottenham in the coming months, telling the Evening Standard: "There's not been much talk if I'm totally honest.

"I'm sure they'll be conversations over the coming months but to be honest I'm just focused on this season and doing my best for the team. There's still a lot to play for, trying to get in the Champions League, we have the FA Cup and the Champions League still to try to win. My focus is on that.

"I know there's going to be rumours, a lot of talk and speculation about my future but I'm just focused on what I can do."

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Tottenham recently held a positive round of talks with Kane's representatives, and the club are now "very optimistic" of striking an agreement.

Plettemburg adds that Man United and Bayern should both have "no chance" of prising Kane away from Tottenham, even with the striker yet to win a major trophy at club level.

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Bayern are not believed to have thrown in the towel just yet, but the powers-that-be in Bavaria are growing increasingly pessimistic about their chances of a summer deal.

Kane scored his record-equalling 266th Tottenham goal in last week's 1-0 win over London rivals Fulham in the Premier League, and he also has 62 assists from his 415 games for the capital giants.

The 29-year-old has scored 18 goals and set up three more in 29 games for the Lilywhites in the 2022-23 season, but he was an unused substitute in Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at Preston North End, having suffered from an illness during the week.

In the absence of Kane and Richarlison - who missed out due to a minor unspecified issue - Son Heung-min scored a brace before new signing Arnaut Danjuma came off the bench to net on his debut at Deepdale.

Kane could now break Greaves's all-time Tottenham record when the Lilywhites host Manchester City in Sunday afternoon's Premier League battle.