Harry Kane: Jamie Carragher slams talk of Tottenham star ‘being backed into corner’ in Man City move

Jamie Carragher has warned Harry Kane not to ruin his reputation with Tottenham fans, rubbishing talk he has been ‘backed into a corner’ and insisting that Daniel Levy is correct to demand a huge fee for the England captain.

The 28-year-old stunned the club by failing to report for pre-season duty on Monday, having earlier revealed his desire to seal a summer exit amid strong interest from Premier League champions Manchester City. 

Sportsmail has since revealed that Kane has just returned from a holiday in the Caribbean and faces a period of isolation.  

Jamie Carragher (left) has rubbished claims Harry Kane (right) has been backed into a corner

The wantaway striker has now missed two consecutive days of pre-season training at the club’s Enfield training base and it is understood that Kane now intends to make his return to the club in the coming days.

Kane’s transfer uncertainty has stirred debate among pundits and supporters, with Liverpool legend Carragher warning the Three Lions captain not to tarnish his standing among Spurs fans as he pursues an exit. 

Likening Kane’s current dilemma with Steven Gerrard’s transfer saga with Chelsea in 2005, Carragher wrote in The Telegraph: ‘I have no problem with him wanting to go to City.

The England star wants Daniel Levy to honour a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and let him leave

Carragher compared the saga to when Steven Gerrard (right) almost left for Chelsea in 2005

‘But it’s the way he’s going about trying to get that transfer by not turning up to training that is worrying.

‘My message to Harry would the same as it was to Stevie: don’t ruin your reputation for this; always think about your name and standing in the game. For me, that is as important as any trophy Harry could win.’

The 28-year-old has three years remaining on his contract with Spurs, having signed a six-year extension in 2018. His contractual status puts Tottenham in a strong position to demand a mind-boggling sum for their star man.

Carragher added that Kane has not ‘been backed into a corner’ by Spurs and questioned why the striker and his advisers agreed to sign such a long-term deal.

‘I still don’t understand this talk of Kane being backed into a corner,’ he added.

‘Has he? Why so? The club never forced Harry Kane to sign a six-year deal in 2018.

‘It’s the fault of him and his advisors for signing a contract that long without a buyout clause, which was absolutely ridiculous.’

Carragher added that Levy (right) is justified in demanding such a huge fee for the 28-year-old

Man City’s £100m offer for Jack Grealish puts Levy in a strong position to demand £150m

In order for Kane to seal his desired switch to City, the Premier League champions must agree a fee with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy – an uncompromising figure whose reputation of fiercely protecting Tottenham’s interests has served the club well. 

Carragher reasoned that Levy is completely justified in demanding a £150million fee for Kane, particularly in the wake of City’s £100m offer for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish – a player of far inferior quality to Kane.

‘Levy has got to protect Tottenham’s interests,’ he said. ‘If City are offering £100m for Jack Grealish then Harry Kane is £150m.

‘I love Grealish but how can you compare him to Kane? Kane is one of the best two or three players in the league. So the Grealish price plays into Levy’s hands.’

City are expected to return for Kane after they complete their swoop for Grealish, who is due in Manchester on Wednesday to finalise his mega-money move to the Premier League champions.