Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'failed with Harry Kane bid this summer'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 September 2023

Real Madrid allegedly failed with a formal bid for Harry Kane this summer before the then-Tottenham Hotspur forward departed for Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid reportedly made an attempt to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

With Kane having just a year remaining on his contract, the long-running saga regarding his future came to a head as Spurs eventually decided to sell their all-time leading goalscorer to Bayern Munich.

Chairman Daniel Levy had initially insisted on playing hardball before an alleged €110m, which includes add-ons, was agreed with their counterparts at the Allianz Arena.

Kane has since hit the ground running, scoring four times in as many Bundesliga fixtures, as well as stressing that he is delighted to have move to Germany.

Nevertheless, there are known to have been several suitors involved in the race, with some known more so than others courtesy of Spurs' demands and their own ability to get a transfer over the line.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane on August 18, 2023 © Reuters

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag stated on Tuesday, ahead of facing Bayern in the Champions League, that he was satisfied to have signed Atalanta BC's Rasmus Hojlund over Kane.

Paris Saint-Germain were also monitoring any developments with Kane's future until it became apparent that the England international had little interest in a transfer to Ligue 1.

However, according to The Athletic, Real Madrid made an effort to edge out some of their European rivals for Kane's signature.

That said, the report claims that Los Blancos were only willing to pay £60m for the 30-year-old after much of their budget for the summer had gone on Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti pictured on July 23, 2023 © Reuters

Carlo Ancelotti had been left without a high-profile frontline striker, a consequence of Karim Benzema completing a surprise transfer to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad.

Having failed to get anywhere with an offer for Kane, Real settled on keeping Espanyol loanee Joselu as their most recognised senior frontman.

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo had been used as a pair before the former suffered an injury that will keep him sidelined for a number of weeks.

If reports are to be believed, Real will eventually secure the signature of Kylian Mbappe, whose contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season.