Pep Guardiola’s message to Daniel Levy was clear over Harry Kane and has Man City boss changed his transfer stance?
NEW season, new Pep?
For the first time since the Champions League final defeat against Chelsea in May, Pep Guardiola faced the media on Friday lunchtime.
Yet there was something different about the Catalan as he starts his sixth season in charge of Manchester City.
Perhaps he had a spring in his step after the £100million record signing of Jack Grealish was completed the previous evening.
He spoke openly about how and why City have done that eye-watering deal – while also telling the ‘three or four’ players who want to leave the Etihad they are free to go.
Yet it was the question over a move for another England star Harry Kane which produced the most unexpected response of his 30-minute chat.
He began with his stock answer – the same one he always gives when he is asked about a potential transfer target.
“He is a player for Tottenham Hotspur,” he said.
Usually that’s it – he will not go any further out of respect for the other club involved.
Only this time, there was more…
OPEN BOOK
“If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished. If they are open to negotiate, many clubs in the world want to try to sign him – and we are not an exception,” he added.
“Harry Kane is an exceptional, extraordinary striker – no doubts about that. Of course we are interested. But he is a Tottenham player.
“If they don’t want to negotiate there is nothing more to say. If they want to, we will try.”
Blimey….
The message to Daniel Levy was clear: City want to sign him but they won’t be paying the £160m asking price under any circumstances.
And while Pep distanced himself from a reunion with his former Barcelona favourite Lionel Messi, he did not rule it out completely.
However unlikely it may be, it’s not a bad Plan B to have up your sleeve.
Guardiola’s surprisingly open comments are the latest move in what is becoming a tense battle over the future of the Three Lions skipper.
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Kane did not return to Spurs’ training ground on Monday as scheduled and now appears to have given himself an extra week off.
City want Kane, Kane wants City – but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is not budging.
One way or another, you feel this is not the last we will hear on the matter.
Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals