The Evening Standard claim Harry Kane has put Tottenham contract talks on hold until after the World Cup – with the striker focusing on finishing the first half of the Spurs season, and then leading England to Qatar next month.
Kane, 29, has started the season in super form – scoring 10 goals in 12 Premier League games. It could have been 12 goals in all competitions on Wednesday evening, only for VAR to cancel out his winner against Sporting Lisbon.
The England skipper has just over 18 months left on his deal. The club are keen to avoid going into next summer without having extended his contract. However, they will now have to wait until the new year to discuss further.
Kane wants to focus on Tottenham’s five games until the World Cup break – against Bournemouth, Marseille, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Leeds. Then, the World Cup itself. Spurs will be hoping to get something done.
Kane has put Tottenham contract talks on hold
A blow for Spurs but understandable from Kane’s point of view. Unfortunately, the winter World Cup means that Tottenham will now have to bare with more rumours and links from other clubs to Kane into next year.
Will they get a deal done for him before next summer? Fabio Paratici has said he is confident. But a lot of it will depend on Antonio Conte’s future. The Italian is contracted until next summer – they have an option to extend it.
But that will only be for another 12 months. Spurs will hardly want to extend Conte’s deal if he wants to leave. Kane will be keen for Conte to stay. While Kane’s talks are on hold, Spurs can still improve their position in Kane talks.
They can extend Conte’s contract, which will in turn, further convince Kane to remain at his boyhood club. Whether or not Spurs and Conte come to an agreement in December remains to be seen. Plenty of work to do, for Paratici.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
