Manchester City ‘are CONVINCED they can strike a £150m deal’ to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham even if they can’t seal move before the new season… after Pep Guardiola’s side refuse to enter race for Lionel Messi
- Manchester City’s top priority remains signing Harry Kane from Tottenham
- City have refused to enter negotiations for Lionel Messi after his Barcelona exit
- Kane has made clear his desire to leave Tottenham in his search for silverware
- City want Kane to form a terrifying partnership with £100m star Jack Grealish
Manchester City are highly optimistic of landing wantaway Tottenham star Harry Kane in a £150million deal before the summer transfer window closes, according to reports.
City have been eyeing a move for Kane all summer after he expressed his desire to leave Spurs in his bid to win the biggest silverware in European football, and the Premier League champions are continuing their pursuit despite their £100million arrival of Jack Grealish last week.
Despite Lionel Messi now being on the market following his bombshell Barcelona exit, City are refusing to enter the race for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner with Kane their top priority still.
Harry Kane remains Manchester City’s top priority after signing Jack Grealish for £100million
And according to the Standard, City remain convinced they can wrap up a mega-money move for the England captain even if they can’t strike a deal before the season starts.
City’s optimism comes despite Spurs and Daniel Levy given the reigning champions little encouragement in their pursuit of Kane – as the north London side desperately look to keep their talisman.
Tottenham have agreed a £60m deal with Inter Milan for Lautaro Martinez, even though the Argentine is keen to stay in Italy, and the club are adamant Kane will not be sold and want the striker to play up top alongside the England skipper.
But Tottenham know they have a battle on their hands to keep Kane after he failed to report back for pre-season training last week following a holiday to the Bahamas after his Euro 2020 exertions.
Kane has since reported for duty and released a statement on Friday saying that he had not refused to train – comments that left Tottenham officials confused and baffled given he was due back last Monday.
Pep Guardiola and City are convinced they can sign Kane before the transfer window closes
The reigning Premier League champions have refused to enter negotiations for Lionel Messi
The 28-year-old, who wants to join up with Guardiola at the Etihad, is isolating at the Spurs Lodge hotel facility now and training alone ahead of the start of the new campaign. Tottenham host City in their season opener on Sunday.
City have expected the transfer saga to be a protracted one this summer, and refusing to pursue Messi is evidence that they believe they can still sign Kane.
Guardiola on Friday admitted that City will do what they can to sign Kane, but insisted any move was down to Tottenham.
‘If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished,’ Guardiola said. ‘If they are open then all the clubs in the world will want to sign him.
‘It depends on Tottenham. Harry is an extraordinary striker. We are interested in him but if Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, nothing more to say.’
City want Kane and Grealish to form a terrifying partnership up top next season at the Etihad
