Bayern Munich are optimistic about signing Harry Kane, but they’ve also revealed when they’d like him to join the Bavarians.
The Bavarians are keen to add quality reinforcements in key positions in the summer transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 season. They’ve already added midfield and full-back options in the form of Kolt Reimer and Raphael Guerreiro, and recently completed their defense with a medical for Kim Min-jae, who has developed into one of Serie A’s best defenders.
Kane is one of the names Munich is targeting after Kim Min-jae. After the departure of their ace Robert Lewandowski, the likes of Serge Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting have been disappointing up front, and the need for reinforcements in the attacking department has been highlighted by Kane’s situation.
Having played for Tottenham since 2012, Kane is the club’s ‘living legend’, having scored 280 goals in 435 official games and 213 goals in 317 Premier League games in 11 seasons with the club, but his recent run of form has led to speculation that he could leave the club in the summer transfer window.
Munich have been monitoring Kane’s situation and have been trying to persuade him to move to Munich, with Thomas Tuchel personally visiting him at home. Kane immediately responded in the affirmative, finding the prospect of a UEFA Champions League spot and a league title appealing.
Local German media reported that Kane had already finalized a personal agreement with Munich, and the Bavarians made a formal offer in the neighborhood of €70 million. After the first offer was rejected, there were reports that the club was willing to pay up to €100 million for a second offer.
The timing of the deal will also be revealed, and it will be interesting to see if Kane is able to join Munich in time for the club’s preparations for next season.
German media outlet Teche reported on June 6 (KST) that “Munich is expected to make a breakthrough in the negotiations for Kane.”
“Kane wants to go to Munich, and Munich wants him, a world-class striker, and now everything can happen quickly. Munich have put everything on the line and have agreed to work with Kane,” Teche said, noting that there is a possibility that the deal could move forward.
“Munich are ready to pay a lot of money. The other way around has taken a back seat, and optimism has been building since last week. The Munich hierarchy is working to make a huge transfer happen. Kane knows what he wants, and if he continues to want it, he will become a Munich player,” he said, explaining that the Bavarians plan to pay Tottenham a huge transfer fee to finalize the deal.
As for when Munich want Kane to join, Teche said, “Munich want to go to the pre-season training camp with Kane. If Kane had his way, the transfer would have happened yesterday. Munich will start training next week and head to Asia on July 24,” adding that he hopes to have Kane on board before the Asian pre-season.
Bayern Munich are currently on vacation after the end of last season and will begin training in Germany on July 15. They will then travel to Japan and Singapore as part of a pre-season Asian tour from July 24 to August 3.
It is believed that Munich would like to sign Kane as early as July 15 and at least 24 days in advance so that he can join them for the preseason. If Kane joins Munich before that date, he will likely join Kim Min-jae on the Japan tour.
Meanwhile, despite Munich’s optimism and Kane’s willingness, Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy are still publicly stating that they cannot let him go.
“Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is furious that Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has held secret talks with Kane in London,” the Daily Mail reported.
“Levy is ready to reject an £85 million offer for Kane because he wants to see Munich blood,” the outlet explained, citing Bild. “Known as a ruthless negotiator, Levy is furious at the news that Kane met secretly with Tuchel and plans to make Munich pay,” it added.
“The problem at the moment is that we don’t know if Tottenham are thinking of selling Kane or if they have no plans to sell him at all,” Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who is well versed in the Munich situation, said on social media 토토꽁포인트.
Plettenberg added: “Munich are also planning to sell the player in free agency in 2024. The club’s hierarchy has tried to convince Kane to join them, and he has now signaled that he only wants to join Munich,” Plettenberg said, adding that Kane only wants to move to Munich.
In the end, even if Munich were to pay a hefty transfer fee for Kane, the decision to make the move appears to be in Tottenham’s hands.
“It is true that Kane is talking to Munich, he is open to a move to Munich,” said Fabrizio Romano, an expert on the European soccer transfer market, “but this deal is not about the player’s side. It’s up to Daniel Levy. He has no intention of selling Kane and is not accepting any offers. He still wants to keep Kane. It’s very difficult for Munich,” he added, explaining that Levy’s decision will determine Kane’s transfer.
However, Spurs have less than a year left on Kane’s contract, so if they don’t re-sign him, they could end up selling him.
Kane is under contract with Tottenham until June 2024 and will become a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season, allowing him to choose where he wants to play. Therefore, it is possible that Levy could change his mind if Munich decide to pay a hefty transfer fee.
With the news of Kane’s desire to move to Munich ahead of Tottenham’s decision, and Munich’s plans to increase their transfer fee, it will be interesting to see if Levy will eventually decide to sell Kane.