Tottenham Hotspur have apparently told potential strike targets that their starting role will be available this summer, the Athletic say.
With Harry Kane’s future firmly in doubt, that news is arguably the clearest indication yet that Tottenham may cash in on their star man.
Spurs have apparently made contact with some centre forwards already, and they have been told that they may no longer have to play a back-up role if they joined.
Many strikers have been reticent to move to Tottenham while Kane has been at the club, as it has been practically impossible to be anything but second fiddle.
Kane is one of the very best strikers in world football and was always likely to be a permanent starter at Tottenham while he remained at the club.
However, Kane has seemingly never been as close to leaving Spurs as right now.
The problem for Tottenham is Kane does depart, is that any strike target they may go for is likely to be a downgrade.
Spurs aren’t in the market where they could go and purchase an elite level striker to replace the England captain.
Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku are all thought to potentially be available this summer, but Tottenham surely stand no chance of landing them.
Instead, whoever they bring in for Kane is likely to be an up and coming talent – with nowhere near the quality of their star man.
It is heartening, at least, to see that Spurs are making plans in case Kane does go.
Tottenham cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the prospect that Kane could leave and have no contingency strategy in place.
But replacing the 28-year-old could be a huge challenge, given his importance to the side.
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