Manchester United boosted with Harry Kane's transfer despite interest from Real Madrid

There is no doubt that Manchester United are in dire need of a prolific striker after boss Erik ten Hag previously admitted that the club need to reduce goal scoring pressure from forward Marcus Rashford.

Harry Kane has since emerged as one of the targets for the Old Trafford club before Spanish giants Real Madrid were tipped to move in the England international as a replacement for their departing skipper Karim Benzema.

Meanwhile, United appeared to have enjoyed a boost on Kane’s transfer after the 29-year-old was reported to have previously confessed a move abroad “doesn’t really interest him” amid speculation linking him Real Madrid, National Daily learnt.

The Tottenham star’s future is far from clear as he enters the final 12 months of his deal in north London. No agreement looks close and his employers face the threat of losing him for nothing if they don’t offload him this summer with several suitors keen.

Real Madrid have firmly entered the race after they confirmed the departure of Karim Benzema after 14 years in Spain. The Frenchman, who is set for a switch to Saudi Arabia, will leave a huge hole having been the club’s premier marksman and Kane is now high on their shortlist of pricey replacements.

Los Blancos have, for decades, been able to attract the world’s biggest stars to the Bernabeu. Kane though, having spent his whole career in England, has previously talked down the prospect of moving abroad.

Back in 2020 he told Gary Neville on the Overlap : “Of course there’s always the option of maybe moving abroad one day but I don’t think that really interests me in the near future.”

Kane’s motivation is likely to be the desire to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record. The England star has just registered a 30-goal season, which leaves him 47 off Shearer’s total with time very much on his side at 29 years of age.

He’s admitted in the past: “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t (want the Premier League record). I think if I get to the end and I haven’t broke that record and the Wayne Rooney England record then I’d probably be a little disappointed in myself.”

Kane’s priority is to remain in England, although Tottenham are reluctant to sell him to a domestic rival and have made that stance known. Manchester United are the club most heavily linked with his signature as they prioritise bringing in a No 9 throughout the summer.

Chelsea have recently appointed Mauricio Pochettino, who worked impressively with Kane during their time together in north London. A reunion would certainly appeal to the manager, although a switch across London would be difficult to negotiate.

Tottenham ended a poor campaign in mid-table, missing out of Europe, with Kane confessing there was a lot of improving to do for the club, who are still without a manager. He said on the final day: “It has been a disappointing season. We can’t let this win dust over that. A lot to work on. We have had to show fight in some moments. A club this size should not be finishing eighth and we need to go away enjoy a break and look how we can improve.”