Bayern Munich are ready to offer Harry Kane a contract that violates their policy for players over the age of 30, in order to ward off interest from Barcelona.
This comes from European football commentator Andy Brassell, who has revealed that the German league champions will do everything they can to keep their star player. Kane has had a glowing start to the season for the German giants, with an incredible record of 22 goals in 16 games so far.
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Kane is currently on his way to his best goalscoring season ever, and this has sparked interest from other major European clubs.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are interested in the star striker as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski when his contract expires in June.
Although Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez is their preferred choice, according to the report, he could prove to be too expensive.
This is where Kane becomes an attractive option. His current deal lasts until 2027 and includes a clause that could facilitate a club switch.
Previously, it has been revealed that his contract has a clause that allows him to leave Bayern for a reduced sum of £57 million this summer.
SPORT claims that Kane is open to a move to Spain, but insists that he will only make a decision on his future at the end of the season.
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‘Kane suits Bayern, and Bayern suits Kane’Barcelona’s
well-documented financial problems mean that Kane would probably have to take a pay cut from his current £380,000-per-week at Bayern.
And Brassell claims that his current employer can take advantage of this, by presenting an offer they rarely make.
Discussing a potential club move for Kane, he told talkSPORT.com: “There is an attraction about Barcelona, there is no doubt about that. So much of what footballers do is about status.”
“Obviously, there’s not a big status in taking a pay cut, but I think the status you get from being a Barcelona player is significant – it really creates respect among your peers.”
“And that’s what I guess you could argue for if you were trying to find a reason for Harry Kane to go to Barcelona.”
“That he would replace Lewandowski for the second time, having done it before at Bayern, albeit not in a row, I also find quite interesting – it’s almost like Thomas Tuchel chasing Jürgen Klopp, but maybe with a slight difference.”
Brassell then underlined how much Bayern value their talisman, admitting that they would be prepared to break their usual policy to tie the 32-year-old to the club.
The German giants usually only offer one-year contract extensions to players over 30, but will make an exception for Kane.
He added: “It would surprise me if Harry Kane left Bayern, because I think Kane suits Bayern and Bayern suits Kane perfectly.”
“There is clearly a willingness to give him an extension of more than one year – which, given the policy for players over 30 normally, is completely in line with how insanely successful he has been on and off the pitch.”
“The fact that the numbers don’t really describe how good he’s been, even though the numbers are extraordinary, and the fact that he also had to take a significant pay cut to go to Barcelona.”
And although Brassell insisted that Kane and Bayern are a perfect match, he didn’t reproach him for considering his options.
The European football expert admitted that England’s hero would be keen to avoid a repeat of his past mistakes, having signed a six-year contract at Tottenham in 2018, which reportedly cost him a later potential club move to Manchester City.
He explained, “I think it would be wise at his age to consider his options.”
“Of course, he locked himself in more than he wanted at Tottenham before, and kind of closed off his options.”
“He closed the door on the Manchester City option by signing a contract that was too long and too big. So maybe it will be something he thinks about – that freedom as he nears the end of his career.”
Brassell added that Kane could be tempted by Barcelona as he is aiming for Champions League success.
He continued: “He knows that although Bayern is a much calmer environment under Vincent Kompany, it is perhaps temporary. Things can change very quickly at Bayern. It’s very, very volatile.”
“So as long as Kompany is there and they’re doing so well – they’ve won 15 out of 15 games this season as we speak now – everything is great at the moment. But Kane himself pointed out before the start of the season that they don’t have the biggest squad.
“So in what form are they in March and April? And that’s the part of the season that matters to Harry Kane. He wants to be – I think they’re going to win the Bundesliga clearly – but he wants to be in a position to challenge in the Champions League. Now, can they do it? That is the question.”
