Opinion: Harry Kane staying, a new contract, and what the future holds

Now that Harry Kane is 100% staying for at least the next six months, it seems as good a time as any to reflect on the summer transfer saga and what the future holds for the beloved ‘one of our own’. I want to start by saying that, even though I wrote the next six […]

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Now that Harry Kane is 100% staying for at least the next six months, it seems as good a time as any to reflect on the summer transfer saga and what the future holds for the beloved ‘one of our own’.

I want to start by saying that, even though I wrote the next six months, I would be utterly astounded if Kane left Tottenham in the January transfer window. This is just not how Daniel Levy operates and only under a very unique and profitable set of circumstances would it happen.

So yes, I am 99% sure that Harry Kane will be a Tottenham player until next summer, at the very least. Part of me thinks he may even remain in North London beyond that, but I’ll return to that thought process a bit further down.

I first want to reiterate an argument I made a while back that I believe Kane did not strike from training in an attempt to force through a move. One, he never really doubled down on that strike, so it would have been a weak attempt. Two, he has refuted such claims.

On August 6, he outright denied that he had ever refused to train and said he would never do anything to jeopardise the relationship he has with the fans. I still maintain this would be a weird lie for him to tell if it was in fact untrue.

The fact of the matter is, if it was a lie, the truth would come out and Kane would further tarnish his Spurs legacy. Basically, I think it would be a pointless porkie. He also reinforced the claim by saying his conscience was clear last week.

If I had to guess, Kane was promised something by Daniel Levy this summer and it didn’t quite happen, maybe because the chairman went back on his word, or maybe simply because no one came in with a sensible bid. Either that, or there was a breakdown in communication.

Whatever the case, Kane soon returned to training, thanked the fans for their support and committed his immediate future to Tottenham before the transfer window had even shut. That was not the act of a bitter man pushing to leave until the very end.

It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support I've had in the last few weeks.

I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and will be 100% focused on helping the team achieve success. #COYS pic.twitter.com/uTN78tHlk1

— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 25, 2021

Of course, Kane wanted to leave. That is the worst kept secret of the transfer window. Of course, Man City wanted him. Of course, Spurs didn’t want to sell. Those three facts were always going to remain. In the end, Kane could hardly complain when City didn’t bid enough.

In all honesty, I think things changed a bit when Kane took his place on the bench against Wolves and came on for a cameo, met not by boos but a chorus of cheers, support, and even his ‘one of our own’ chant. I think even he was surprised by the level of support in that moment.

While he wanted a move to win trophies, I think the penny dropped there that remaining at a club where he is adored by the fans was still a very special and attractive scenario. This was further confirmed, for me, during the game against Pacos de Ferreira.

Let us remember, this was not a Champions League game, not even a Europa League match. It was a Europa Conference League qualifier. Normally, Kane wouldn’t even be in the squad for these games. He might not even have it on in the background at home.

Yet when he scored his goals in front of the home fans, the celebrations and the smiles were far from muted. It was like he thought he had scored his final goal for Spurs, only to get the chance to do it all again. He looked genuinely happy and content, which is important.

For the sake of Spurs and Kane himself, everyone wants to see the England captain firing on all cylinders this season. Tottenham want to achieve big things while Kane wants to win a trophy and, at the very least, secure a big move next summer.

So what does the future hold for Kane? If I had to predict it right now, I think Harry will sign a new contract before Christmas, especially if Spurs continue their fine form. The new deal will, of course, have a buy-out clause, but also a healthy wage increase for Kane.

Now, Daniel Levy is no mug. He won’t hand out wage increases only for Man City to match a generous release clause in the summer, thus wasting him money. If a clause is inserted, it will be a good price for Spurs. Perhaps £120m to £150m for Kane with two years on his contract.

This would suit all involved. Kane would be guaranteed a move if someone paid up. Spurs would be guaranteed a good price. Those around the club would also not have to endure a transfer saga, as a release clause provides a cut and dry way out. Either someone pays or they don’t.

However, even if all of the above happens and a new deal is signed with a release clause, I can still see Kane now remaining at Tottenham for years to come. The transfer merry-go-round next summer will likely not play into the striker’s hands.

United just signed Ronaldo. PSG just got Messi. Real Madrid may move for Mbappe. Chelsea signed Lukaku. Man City will likely move for Haaland. Lewandowski may also be up for sale. And that doesn’t even take into account any other breakout stars between now and then.

With all of those players occupying slots or being up for sale, will someone come along and pay over £120m for an injury-prone Kane at age 29? I’m really not so sure. I think Harry needs to make a choice, run his contract down and force a way out, maybe even on a free…

Or sign a new long-term Spurs deal and come to terms with the fact he may see out the vast majority, if not all, of his career in North London. If he does this, of course, he needs to be fully behind the decision, so it isn’t one to be taken lightly.

For now, at least we can move past the transfer saga for a few months and enjoy seeing Kane banging in the goals again. It appears the fans are still fully behind him and Harry will always play for the badge. Only time will tell what the future will bring.

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