Harry Kane To Real Madrid Boosts Aimless Tottenham Hotspur The Most
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It’s hardly surprising that, as soccer teams around Europe take stock and plan game-changing signings, the reports are flying in, with Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane, targeted by La Liga juggernaut Real Madrid, among the latest rumors.

According to the Spanish broadcaster Cadena Sur, Real is studying Kane (Spanish) as a possible headline reinforcement in the coming weeks, in an expensive purchase reportedly offset by Eden Hazard going the other way—a stunning trade-off given Hazard was a superstar for Spurs’ rival Chelsea.

Securing a Kane-like, goalscoring figure would bolster Real. England and Tottenham’s record scorer virtually guarantees a load off striker Karim Benzema’s shoulders and future-proofs the attack before €70 million ($75 million) Brazilian teenager Endrick arrives on the scene.

As for Kane, a loyal but trophyless hero for over a decade in north London, choosing a foreign base like Madrid enriches his career. It also presents an ample chance to win silverware almost immediately. But what about Tottenham itself? Well, it could benefit more than anyone. It just may be hard to see now.

With every passing campaign, the sense is that Spurs must keep its number 9. Or else it will sink. Going by the numbers, it’s a sound conclusion. Kane is just outside the elite circle for the most valuable players worldwide and has consistently battled for the league’s Golden Boot. So it’s alarming to think how far Tottenham could fall without his contributions.

But despite keeping its central striker, the team remains far from tangible success each term. Sporadically reaching the top European tournament, its most recent onslaught to glory ended in a Champions League final defeat against Liverpool four years ago. Overall, it’s been a predictably underwhelming trend—a side lacking competitive edge and the mentality to prosper, something brutally exposed in a press conference outburst from its last permanent coach Antonio Conte earlier in the campaign. Its most recent accolade came over 15 years ago.

It needs a complete rethink. And it already has some sharp tools at its disposal. Its long-term, revenue-generating, state-of-the-art stadium is among the best on the continent. Meanwhile, it has a hugely marketable personality in South Korean winger Son Heung-min. But these plus signs alone can’t provide the winning formula. The same goes for Kane.

From a sporting angle, selling Kane seems counterintuitive. In reality, he’s neither the problem nor the solution. What’s clear is, if open to a move, the fan-favorite brings in good money. Should he leave for, say, above €80 million ($86 million), those earnings could further reinvigorate the squad in the transfer market, attracting the many characters Spurs require to become a formidable team. Or assemble the right staff and infrastructure to bring success.

Before that, it has to find a coach. Celtic and ex-Australia national team boss Ange Postocoglou looks high on the agenda following a failed attempt to attract Feyenoord’s title-winning Arne Slot. Soccer pedigree-wise, the next appointment will be crucial. However, more important will be someone who can excel there in the first place. Under chairman Daniel Levy, Spurs managers have rarely excelled.

For now, Tottenham’s broader purpose should run beyond Kane. One player, however majestic, is not enough to claim titles. Challenging or even getting close to the behemoth, also known as Manchester City, in the Premier League and Europe requires strategic planning. It’s an outlandish suggestion, but cashing in to kickstart something greater—more significant than what Real, Manchester United, or other admirers can gain from Kane—might give Spurs the reboot it needs.

It could take three or four years, but that’s better than being stuck in a passive limbo.

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