Harry Kane: Tottenham slump prompts new Gary Neville prediction – ‘I think they’re going to…’
Gary Neville has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur will have to keep Harry Kane this summer even without him signing a new contract.
That’s because allowing him to leave might be detrimental to their hopes of appointing a top-class manager. Indeed, Spurs are searching for a permanent successor to Antonio Conte at present. Ryan Mason is currently taking care of the first team until the end of the season.
By the summer, Kane will be entering the final year of his contract with Tottenham. He seems to be reluctant to renew his deal while wondering about the club’s ambitions.
Tottenham lost 4-3 to Liverpool on Sunday after an early collapse. It means they are now sixth in the Premier League table with only four games remaining.
Therefore, they might not be the best place for Kane to be if he wants to achieve his objectives of winning trophies.
However, with Daniel Levy not keen on selling Kane to a domestic rival – yet the striker hoping to pursue the Premier League goalscoring record still – reports have recently highlighted that the 29-year-old seeing out his contract and then leaving on a free in 2024 is becoming more realistic.
And according to Neville, that’s exactly what Tottenham might have to do.
Tottenham warned Harry Kane exit could deter managers
“The last few months have been shocking,” the former Man Utd defender told Sky Sports.
“When you think about this season for Spurs and how it’s going to end, I’m not sure they can let Harry Kane go in the summer. I think they’re going to let him play out the last year of his contract and build around him next season with a new manager.
“If he leaves in the summer will a new manager – if he’s a big name – really want to take the job without Harry Kane there? They might have to swallow that they won’t get a fee for him the season after or try to encourage him to stay during that season.”
The all-time leading goalscorer for both Tottenham and England, Kane is one of the most prominent strikers in world football. Therefore, if Spurs were to sell him this summer, they could bring in a large transfer fee for their academy product.
Yet as Neville has alluded to, it could harm their progress as a whole. Tottenham will have to weigh up what carries more worth for them.
Kane is reportedly a target for the likes of Man Utd, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Moreover, he could become a target for Chelsea if they appoint former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach.
As for Tottenham’s own search for a manager, they will have to hope the process isn’t as long and frustrating as it was two years ago. Back then, they missed out on several preferred candidates before having to settle for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno lasted less than half a year in the job before Conte took charge instead. Yet with that association turning sour recently, another change was made. Who steps into the role on a full-time basis remains to be seen, though.
