Harry Kane, the England captain, has been making waves in the Bundesliga, scoring an impressive 18 goals in just 13 appearances since his transfer to Bayern Munich.
In a twist of fate, Kane’s first club match on English soil post-transfer is against Manchester United at Old Trafford, a team long-rumored to be his next destination. The 30-year-old’s departure from Tottenham sparked widespread speculation that Manchester United would be his new home, yet the transfer never materialized.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, relentlessly pursued Kane and ultimately convinced Tottenham’s chairman, Daniel Levy, to release him in August. United, deterred by the high cost and complexity of the deal, withdrew from the race and instead acquired Rasmus Hojlund, a promising 20-year-old Danish forward.
The contrast between the seasoned goal-scorer Kane and the up-and-coming Hojlund is stark. However, their paths cross as United seeks a crucial victory on Tuesday at 20:00 GMT to advance to the last 16 in the Champions League.
Financially, each group stage win in the Champions League is worth €2.8 million, with progression to the knockout stages bringing in an additional €9.6 million. Bayern, with four wins in the season, stand to gain significantly more than United, who have only one win.
United’s investment in Hojlund, amounting to £64 million initially, plus potential additional payments to Atalanta, highlights the complexity of transfer decisions beyond just the fee.
Kane, with a history of scoring at Old Trafford, including two goals in England’s victory over North Macedonia and in Tottenham’s 6-1 triumph in 2020, is a reminder of what might have been for Manchester United fans. Despite the club’s reluctance to engage in complex negotiations, many felt Kane was the missing piece.
Kane’s decision to join Bayern stems from the club’s reputation as a global football powerhouse with a culture of high expectations. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Kane expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge and growth opportunities at Bayern.
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern’s manager, acknowledged the significance of bringing the English captain out of the Premier League.
Kane, who is second in the Premier League’s all-time scoring list, still aspires to break Alan Shearer’s record. His stint in Germany, which could extend until 2027, doesn’t diminish this ambition.
Currently, Kane is focusing on Bayern, especially after their recent 5-1 loss to Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. He publicly apologized and shifted his attention to the upcoming Tuesday match.
Despite setbacks in domestic cups, Bayern’s consistent Bundesliga dominance and Kane’s contribution in the Champions League (four goals in five appearances) highlight his role in the team’s European aspirations.
Kane’s ambition is clear, as he expressed in a conversation with Gary Neville on The Overlap 19 months ago. He aims for the pinnacle of his career, aspiring to participate in significant games and create memorable moments, driven by a personal desire to be the best and leave no room for regrets.
