‘I heard it’: Harry Kane’s wooing by United fans adds twist to Spurs drama

H arry Kane heard it, all right – the extraordinary public wooing from the Manchester United support on Thursday night. “Harry Kane … we’ll see you in June,” they sang at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, half an hour or so into the game, and it took a much-discussed plot line to new levels.

At his press conference on Wednesday, the United manager, Erik ten Hag, had been full of flattery for Kane. A new centre-forward is his priority and he would love to sign the England captain. But how often do thousands of fans make it clear to a player during a match that they would like him to come to their club?

A few quick points. The Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, is dead against selling Kane in the summer, even though the player will be out of contract in June of next year. United are wary of dealing with Levy and they are dead against a protracted summer chase. Kane has said nothing about a Spurs contract extension and intends to take stock at the end of the season.

“I heard what they were saying,” Kane said of the United supporters’ chant. “But I’m just focused on this team and trying to finish [the season] strongly.”

On one level, it had to have been nice for Kane to hear it. Everybody likes to feel wanted and respected. But on another, it perhaps reinforced the delicacy of Kane’s situation. He loves Spurs and has given his professional life to them. But as he approaches his 30th birthday in July, he wants to ensure that he competes at Champions League level and has a chance of finally winning silverware.

Can Kane do that at Spurs? The evidence of this season is an obvious no. But can he get out? He was blocked from doing so two summers ago when Manchester City tried to sign him. And, even though his contract is now much