Man Utd eye ‘next Robin van Persie’ as chiefs aim to repeat “genius” transfer move
Manchester United are reportedly aiming to emulate the title-winning signing of Robin van Persie with a mega money swoop for Tottenham record goalscorer Harry Kane.
The Red Devils are prioritising a move for a striker in the upcoming summer transfer window with Erik ten Hag keen to add more quality to his attack. Dutch striker Wout Weghorst has been signed on a six-month loan deal but he is only anticipated to be a stop-gap for United.
It has already been reported that the club are set to turn to the transfer market once more in the summer with the likes of Kane, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Red Bull Salzburg starlet Benjamin Šeško all on the club’s shortlist. The Spurs striker would likely represent the biggest name to arrive at Old Trafford.
He is now the North London side’s joint-record goalscorer alongside Jimmy Greaves having netted the winning goal against Fulham on Monday evening. Whilst Kane’s goalscoring talents would certainly be welcome at Old Trafford, it appears that United chiefs are attracted to further assets of his game.
According to The Independent, some figures in and around the club are suggesting that he could be the modern era’s version of the club’s acquisition of Dutchman Robin van Persie. The striker was signed in 2012 having enjoyed a prolific spell with Premier League rivals Arsenal.
His experience and eye for goal saw him net 30 times in his debut campaign at Old Trafford – a huge reason behind the club winning their final Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. It was also a move that was also hailed as “genius” by then members of the Red Devils’ squad.
Speaking to The Guardian back in 2020, former United defender Jonny Evans said: “It was a genius signing, to get someone from one of your rival clubs, where he’d been [for so long] – everyone was shocked.
“He came to Manchester United to win the title, and he was a man on a mission that year. Ferguson loved people who could produce things out of the bag, moments of brilliance, moments of magic, and he had that in abundance.”
There is hope that Kane could potentially represent a similar figure to that of Van Persie should he complete a move to Old Trafford. The England captain has regularly displayed his goalscoring quality as a Spurs player but has so far been left frustrated in his pursuit of silverware.
Meanwhile, his current club might actually be forced to cash-in on his services sooner rather than later. The 29-year-old has just 18 months left to run on his contract in North London – reports having suggested that Daniel Levy has slapped an £85m asking price on his services.
He is in the midst of another lethal season having bagged 16 Premier League goals this season and only finds himself behind Man City sensation Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
