It is an open secret that Manchester City were all over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in the summer.
While manager Pep Guardiola employed a ‘false nine’ strategy to good effect last season, he wanted Harry Kane to replace club-legend Sergio Aguero. Manchester City’s efforts to sign the England international proved fruitless, even though they were ready to splash £150million as Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy stood firm on his not-for-sale stance.
A frustrated Guardiola also openly expressed his desire to sign Kane from Spurs in one of his pressers but a deal didn’t come to fruition, leaving the City boss with Gabriel Jesus as the only recognised number 9 in his squad.
Manchester City’s need for a clinical goalscorer never seemed more paramount than against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday when they wasted opportunities left right and centre in the first half. Pep Guardiola’s side were all over Liverpool in the first half but had no reward to show for their dominance; instead, they had to be content with a point following Kevin De Bruyne’s 81-st minute deflected equaliser.
By now, even though we are just seven games into the new Premier League season, Pep Guardiola must have seen enough to suggest his richly-assembled squad can do a lot better with a focal point in attack. And to that end, Manchester City must revive their interest in Kane when the transfer window reopens in January.
Harry Kane, 28, has established himself as one of the best marksmen in Europe, racking up some really impressive numbers to justify his case. However, he is yet to score or provide an assist for Spurs in the Premier League this season after winning the Golden Boot award last term. The England international failed to get on the scoresheet against Aston Villa on Sunday and has looked listless in a Tottenham shirt.
Regardless of the form Kane is in at the moment, it is just a matter of time before goals start flowing for him. He is a natural goal-scorer, tenacious, intelligent and also possesses great off-the-ball movement. The England international likes to drop into spaces between defenders, link up with his teammates and get into the box to finish off chances ruthlessly.
Being an ambipedal player, who is equally comfortable shooting with either foot, the Spurs star is always a big threat in and around the box for the opposition. With Harry Kane up top, the likes of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and City’s other flair players could thrive tenfold.
Signing Kane in the mid-season trading period would represent a statement of intent from Manchester City at a time when Newcastle United are expected to usher in another competitive era in the Premier League, whilst boosting their chances of hunting down the elusive Champions League trophy. If the Sky Blues are to maintain their dominance in England as well as start stamping their authority in Europe, they must make a renewed attempt to sign the Spurs talisman in 2022.