Dimitar Berbatov has told The Sun he questions Harry Kane’s decision to boycott training to push through a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City.
Kane was due to return for pre-season on Monday after Spurs allowed the England captain additional time off after Euro 2020. But the forward is still to return to the UK, per The Guardian, having flown to Florida after a holiday in the Bahamas.
Kane angered the Tottenham hierarchy by refusing to report for training in order to try and join Manchester City. He intends to return this weekend, but will not train until next week after completing his mandatory five-day quarantine period.
Berbatov believes Kane will be ‘mentally and physically exhausted’ from the saga, and has reservations with the Manchester City target going on strike at Tottenham.
“I was surprised, I don’t think it’s the right way,” Berbatov said. “I never boycotted training, that’s the difference, I didn’t play two games. It was difficult for me to admit but I found the power to say: ‘If I play, my mind will not be there. So, I will be in the way of my teammates doing their job’.
“I was at every training session but obviously my mind was also somewhere else. In places you don’t want to know, but training is easy. It’s behind closed doors, most teammates will understand you, and it will be easy to let go of some stress with banter and jokes.
“I hope Harry resumes training, then the difficult and interesting part comes – the games. If it’s going to happen, I think it will be the last day of the window. But I would love it to be resolved sooner, because I don’t want to see him boycotting games.”
Kane yet to speak to Nuno as he seeks Tottenham exit amid Manchester City interest
Nuno Espirito Santo admitted on Wednesday, via The Guardian, that he is yet to speak with Kane since joining Tottenham. The striker is also now almost certain to miss Spurs’ Premier League opener, coincidentally against Manchester City, on August 15.
It is startling that Nuno has not spoken to Kane given Tottenham appointed the Portuguese on June 30. The clear lack of communication is yet another indication of Kane’s desires to join Manchester City this summer.
But while Berbatov would like Kane’s future resolved soon, he – and Nuno – is likely to be kept waiting. The Athletic report Manchester City will only pay £130m to sign Kane, but the Daily Star note Tottenham want £150m. Ensuring the saga will continue this summer.
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