"Those issues..." - Man Utd target's previous Qatar comments resurface with takeover bid imminent

Manchester United target Harry Kane's previous comments about human rights in Qatar have resurfaced amid reports investors from the Gulf state are set to bid for the Old Trafford club.

On Tuesday reports emerged claiming that Qatari investors are planning an enormous swoop for United, and want to give manager Erik ten Hag the financial backing to lead the club back to the top of world football.

According to the MailOnline, a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in Qatar have set their sights on the Premier League giants, whom they view as 'football's crown jewels'.

They will allegedly make an offer for the club in the coming days, ahead of United owners the Glazers' mid-February deadline for takeover bids.

The Qatari investors are said to be confident their bid will blow the competition 'out of the water'.

Harry Kane's past Qatar comments

Should the Qatari bid be successful, United manager Ten Hag could have the funds available to sign several key targets this summer - including Tottenham and England striker Kane.

Kane's previous comments on Qatar have now resurfaced amid talks investors from the oil-rich state could take over United.

Speaking in March 2022, months before Kane was due to captain the Three Lions at the World Cup in Qatar, the striker said: "We know there have been some issues that have happened that aren't right, so it's going to be a mixed emotion [at the World Cup].”

Speaking to BBC Sport, Kane added: "All we can do, and me as a captain, is try to shine a light on those issues.

"The World Cup being in Qatar is definitely shining that light and it's important we try to make as much change as possible, not just for now but for the future as well.

"In terms of what we can do, it's important over the next few weeks and months to have ideas - whether that's just us as a nation or with other countries as well - to all stand together as one, which will send a really powerful message.

"It could be anything at the moment and something that we have to discuss and decide going forward. As a player and nation, we can only try to move that forward in the right direction."

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar while there are strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Meanwhile, there are also concerns about the human rights record of the country. In November 2021, Amnesty International released a report accusing Qatar of failing to implement its own laws designed to improve conditions for migrant workers.

The Qatar government responded at the time by saying it "rejected" Amnesty's assertion.

Man Utd’s Kane interest

According to a fresh Telegraph report, Ten Hag is weighing up whether to move for Kane or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the summer.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will allegedly demand £100million the 29-year-old, despite the England captain being due to enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer.

Should Kane not agree a new deal with the north London club, Levy would allegedly prefer to sell the player overseas, rather than to a Premier League rival.

Kane became Spurs’ all-time top scorer on Sunday when he netted his 267th goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Topics: Harry Kane, Qatar, Manchester United, England, Transfers, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.