Football News

“Harry is off” – Rio Ferdinand picks out the European giants Man Utd may have to beat to Kane signing

By CJ Smith

Harry Kane

Published: 18:13, 31 March 2020

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United may face competition from Juventus and Real Madrid if they wish to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.

The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner recently stated he wouldn’t stick around in north London for the sake of it, claiming he could leave Spurs if their trophy drought doesn’t end soon.

Could Kane join Man Utd? Five things to know…

  • Kane has scored 181 goals in 278 career appearances for Spurs to date.
  • His goals have helped the club reach the League Cup (2015) and Champions League (2019) finals.
  • Despite his individual brilliance, Kane is yet to lift a major trophy with the club.
  • The 26-year-old has stated he could leave Tottenham if they don’t deliver silverware soon.
  • And Ferdinand believes Kane is “perfect” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man Utd.


“It’s one of those things, I couldn’t say yes, I couldn’t say no,” said Kane. “I love Spurs, I’ll always love Spurs. But it’s one of those things – I’ve always said if I don’t feel we’re progressing as a team or going in the right direction, then I’m not someone to just stay there for the sake of it.”

Speculation is now circulating as to who will try to sign Kane if he does indeed call time on his Spurs career, and Ferdinand believes he and Jadon Sancho are the types of players Ole Gunner Solskjaer needs to add to his squad.

However, he did tip Juventus and Real Madrid as potential destinations in what could be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of all time.

“Harry has always been coy and held back but he’s dropped a couple of bombs,” Ferdinand said in an Instagram Q&A.

“He’s been waiting for the dream at Spurs to materialise but it hasn’t happened. He’s frustrated.

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“Do you think Harry would be happy, fulfilled and satisfied if he scores goals, breaks records but with no trophies at the end of his career? No. He will be upset and devastated.

“I think that statement means Harry is off, he wants to win trophies and that will alert clubs.

“I know Man Utd will be in for him because that type of player is perfect for them. I’m sure Juventus will be in and will Real Madrid come in?

“He will go for massive dough, at least £130m in today’s market.”

How would Kane fit in at Man Utd?

Given that Solskjaer prefers his side to sit in and soak up pressure before unleashing a lightning counter-attack, rather than hunting for possession high up the pitch, Man Utd and Kane could actually be a “perfect” fit, as Ferdinand put it.

Kane has won possession in the opposition final third just 0.81 times per 90 minutes in the Premier League, compared to 1.28, 1.00 and 0.92 per 90 for the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah respectively. Pressing is certainly not his strong point.

However, as proved by his role with England, as well as the way he dovetails with the likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura at Spurs, Kane is incredibly adept at playing as a false nine, dropping between the lines to link play, while also dragging opposing centre-backs out to create gaps for inside forwards.

Playing through the middle, Kane could be the perfect link between attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes and pacy forwards Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James, playing quick, one-touch passes as United look to hurt teams in transition.

Furthermore, we’re all well aware of just how ruthless Kane is in front of goal himself. Serviced by the likes of Fernandes and Martial — as well as the potential arrival of Sancho — it’s hard to imagine the 26-year-old struggling to find the net.