Man Utd to copy Liverpool transfer tactic over Harry Kane as Erik ten Hag plots move for Tottenham striker

Manchester United could choose to emulate a Liverpool transfer tactic during their pursuit of Harry Kane.

On Monday the Telegraph reported that United have begun exploring what it would take to sign Kane, amid a growing expectation the Tottenham striker will not commit to a new contract in north London.

United are planning to bid for Kane this summer in an attempt to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who acrimoniously left the club back in November.

The England captain only has 12 months remaining on his current Tottenham contract and while his advisers have not commented on the situation, the Telegraph's “Tottenham sources” claim there is little chance the striker will recommit to the north London club in the summer.

Indeed, the publication identified that United making a serious offer for Kane is a “nightmare scenario” for Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who will be considering whether to sell the forward this summer or let him leave for free at the end of next season.

Man Utd’s pursuit of Kane

While it is unlikely Kane will commit to new terms with Tottenham, United are reportedly aware of how difficult Levy will be to strike a deal with.

The 61-year-old is a notoriously tough negotiator and should they be engaged in a transfer saga the entire summer, they risk the possibility of missing out on other targets such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

In turn, the Old Trafford club have reportedly started work now to try to establish the best way to make an early move for Kane.

Should Levy dig his heels in and be prepared to risk the England record scorer's contract running down, United would have the time to turn their attention to Osimhen.

Indeed, there are parallels between the transfer tactic United employed with Kane, to that Liverpool chose in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.

While the midfielder was the Anfield club’s number one transfer target, it emerged earlier this month the club had pulled out of a deal for the 19-year-old.

Liverpool were concerned that should a deal drag on this summer they could miss out on several of their other targets.

Topics: Football, Harry Kane, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Jude Bellingham

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.