Harry Kane downplays transfer links to Manchester United as he shares ‘talks with some clubs happened in the background’ – ahead of facing Erik ten Hag’s side with Bayern Munich on Wednesday
- The player is thought to have wanted to sign for the Red Devils as a free agent
- Instead Kane stressed that he was ‘happy’ with his decision to move to Germany
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Harry Kane downplayed the possibility that he could have moved to Manchester United instead of Bayern Munich over the summer, saying that there were ‘some talks with other clubs’ but that these were only ‘in the background’.
The striker, who has scored four goals in his first five games for his new club, will meet Erik ten Hag side in the first match of his Champions League campaign at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
The England captain shared in a press conference ahead of the tie: ‘Obviously over the summer I know there were some talks between a few clubs in the background, but Bayern was a team I was really interested by.
‘There weren’t many other discussions. My focus is on here. Obviously, Manchester United are a great club, a big club, but I decided to come here, and I’m happy I have.’
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that the player had planned to run down his contract at Tottenham for the final 12 months of his deal, before signing as a free agent in 2024, but ultimately opted to join the Bundesliga champions.
Harry Kane downplayed suggestions that he had been close to a move to Manchester United
The striker took a break from training ahead of the match against Erik ten Hag’s side to speak to the media on Tuesday
Kane was heavily linked to the Manchester club, but is thought to be have been deterred from waiting out to sign with the team after Ten Hag moved for former Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Kane’s first European match for the Bavarian side comes on the heels of a blistering run of form, but the 30-year-old was keen to stress in his pre-match remarks that he felt there was still room for improvement for the side.
Bayern Munich saw out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday, with Kane opening the scoring within the first seven minutes.
When asked if he could play a game-changing role in Bayern’s Champions League chances in a similar fashion to Erling Haaland for Manchester City last year, Kane demurred.
‘Time will tell. There’s a reason that Bayern Munich bought me to the club and they’re really eager to get back to winning the Champions League,’ Kane shared. ‘They feel I can be a big help – but time will tell.
‘We have to first focus on the group stage. That’s why I’m here. I want to be playing at the highest level to help my team win the biggest trophies.
‘The Champions League is a big goal, but for me, I’m not solely focusing on that. I want to win all three competitions that we’re in.
‘Of course, it’s the biggest competition in Europe, so to win the Champions League would be a dream come true, and obviously having the final at Wembley would be special for me, but that’s a little bit far ahead.’
By contrast to Bayern’s fast start, Manchester United have struggled to get their season off on the right foot.
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The striker has enjoyed a strong start to life in Germany with four goals in his first five games
After registering back-to-back 3-1 defeats, they go into European competition in 14th place.
But Kane warned against getting carried away by United’s loss of form, adding: ‘Obviously they’ve been going through a tough spell recently, but that can be dangerous in terms of a big response.
‘I don’t think about the form (of the opposition) becuse every game can be different.
‘I just think about myself’.
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