Reports: Real Madrid target €125m EPL superstar to replace Karim Benzema
What's the story?
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane will be the subject of a concerted effort from Real Madrid next summer, according to British news outlet, The Express. The Englishman has been in stunning form this season, and with Florentino Perez in the market for a striker, Harry Kane tops their 3-man shortlist, which includes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski. Madrid have previously conducted successful negotiations with Daniel Levy for Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in the past, and while they know they cannot prise Kane away from London this season, Perez is reportedly hopeful that a massive €125 million bid will tempt Spurs into selling.
Also Read: Is Harry Kane a better striker than Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski?
In case you didn't know...
Having come through the ranks at Tottenham, Harry Kane spent three seasons on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, before having his breakout season in 2014/15, scoring 31 goals for Spurs in all competitions. Having originally been cast as a one-season wonder, Kane has gone from strength to strength, scoring 28 goals the following season and then 35 goals last season as well, with the Englishman now considered one of the best strikers in the Premier League
The heart of the matter
Kane's scoring rate has been compared to that of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the Englishman having scored a staggering 6 hat-tricks in 2017, the most of any player in Europe's Top 5 leagues. The striker uses the comparison as a motivation, saying "I want to be one of the best players in the world, so when people put it up and I see I am close to those players, it is a great incentive to get closer and go to the next step."
Florentino Perez is reportedly hugely impressed with Kane's quality and will have a chance to cast eyes on him when Tottenham play Madrid in Group H of the UEFA Champions League next. According to the report, Madrid would like Kane in January itself, but with Spurs also strongly placed to qualify from their group, Daniel Levy would definitely not sell.
Given that Neymar and Ousmane Dembele were sold for massive fees, Spurs will likely demand a fee in excess of €150 million, but Madrid are hopeful that they can knock the price down.
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Author's Take:
Harry Kane would not be an ideal striker to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Englishman tends to be a bit selfish with his shooting, as opposed to Karim Benzema's altruistic nature. However, Madrid need to think about their long-term striking future, and in that sense, Kane is the ideal target.