Man Utd transfer target to hold contract talks as Ten Hag's preference revealed

Manchester United transfer target Harry Kane is set to hold contract talks with Tottenham, according to reports - but Erik ten Hag allegedly has other forward signings in mind.

Kane has been linked with a move to United for several seasons, and it was reported earlier this month that the club had placed him on a three-player shortlist as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 29-year-old is one goal away from being Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer, and is 62 goals from breaking Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League record.

Kane has spent his entire professional career at Spurs, although he did tell the club in the summer of 2021 that he wished to leave. However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy reiterated the club's desire to keep their star forward, and the England international eventually signed a new contract that year until the summer of 2024.

With 18 months left on that deal, speculation has once again arisen over his future.

United have been monitoring his situation, according to reports, and have been preparing to make a move should the opportunity become available.

Man Utd target Kane set to open Spurs talks

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Spurs and Kane have planned contract talks for after the conclusion of the winter transfer window.

It is claimed that the 29-year-old is open to signing a new deal should 'the circumstances be right', and that no talks have taken place since he signed his last contract in the summer of 2021.

United may still be keeping tabs on the outcome of negotiations, but Ten Hag is said to have identified alternatives to fill the centre forward role.

They did complete a deal to sign Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley until the end of the season in January, but The Telegraph have claimed that Ten Hag wants to sign a faster forward than Kane for the long-term, such as Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen has scored an incredible 13 goals in 15 Serie A appearances this season, with Luciano Spalletti's side currently 12 points clear at the top of Italy's top division.

But the Red Devils may have to act fast, as reports last month claimed that Napoli were prepared to offer the striker, whose current deal expires in 2025, a new contract at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.