Harry Kane was one of the most sought-after strikers in European football before he left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for £100million
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 15: Harry Kane #9 of FC Bayern Munchen walks onto the pitch prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between FC Bayern München and Auckland City FC at TQL Stadium on June 15, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 15: Harry Kane #9 of FC Bayern Munchen walks onto the pitch prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between FC Bayern München and Auckland City FC at TQL Stadium on June 15, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Harry Kane is currently playing for Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup(Image: Dylan Buell, Getty Images)
Harry Kane's desire for silverware led to his move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.
During his tenure at Tottenham, Kane established himself as one of Europe's top strikers, attracting attention from all major clubs across the continent. In 2021, Kane made a concerted effort to engineer a move to Manchester City, even publicly expressing his desire to depart Spurs during a golf game with Gary Neville.
However, it would be another two years before Bayern Munich would shell out £100million to secure his services from north London. Manchester United had been keen on securing Kane for some time.
When Erik ten Hag first assumed control at United, the Mirror claimed that he had identified Kane as a key transfer target. However, the timing wasn't right for the Spurs hitman, who was intent on becoming Spurs' all-time top scorer.
Furthermore, if Kane was to leave at that time, it would have been for a club ready to immediately compete for major honours, rather than a team in the midst of a rebuild or transition. After surpassing Sir Jimmy Greaves' scoring record for Spurs in February, United believed they had the perfect opportunity to sign Kane.
With Spurs failing to secure a top-four finish in a season that saw Antonio Conte dismissed, United clinched the League Cup, reached the FA Cup final and secured a third-place league finish. A switch to Old Trafford appeared to be the only feasible Premier League move, with Erling Haaland plying his trade at Manchester City and Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo at the time.
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Kane had also publicly expressed his ambition to surpass Alan Shearer's record of 260 Premier League goals, seemingly ruling out a transfer abroad. This was a more promising scenario than 12 months prior, when Kane was hesitant to join United due to their struggles under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores their side's first goal from a penalty during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on March 12, 2022 in Manchester, England
Kane was determined to become Tottenham's record goal-scorer before leaving the club
(Image: Getty Images)
The Red Devils had finished sixth with their lowest points tally in 32 years and were in the midst of a five-year trophy drought. Kane's motivation for leaving Tottenham stemmed from his desire to win a major trophy. At the time, Spurs seemed better positioned to win a title than United.
The England striker had decided to leave Tottenham only for a team capable of competing for major trophies immediately, rather than one in transition. Following an impressive personal campaign with Spurs, which ultimately ended in an eighth-placed finish, Kane's future seemed uncertain.
Initially, reports emerged of a "secret meeting" between Kane's representatives and Paris Saint-Germain, who were interested in signing him. According to Foot Mercato, PSG transfer chief Luis Campos held an "informal conversation" regarding Kane's future.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 19, 2022 in Manchester, England
United were not in a good place when they considered a move for Kane in the summer of 2022
(Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
At the time, Paris Saint-Germain was preparing to phase out star players Lionel Messi and Neymar in a bid to cultivate a younger, more vibrant squad. Despite such transformative ambitions, Kane's potential switch to the French giants did not culminate in a move.
Spurs' chairman Daniel Levy was also reluctant to sell Kane to a Premier League rival. Consequently, Bayern Munich emerged as perfectly positioned suitors amidst the swirling rumour mill.
Former Liverpool midfielder and current pundit Danny Murphy weighed in on the speculation, advocating for Kane to make the leap to Germany. Writing for the Daily Mail, Murphy said: "If Bayern Munich come calling this summer, he should go. It would be hugely sad if a player of his quality finished [his career] without winning a trophy. It's something he himself would regret after retirement.
Bayern's Harry Kane stands with the championship trophy on the town hall balcony, at the championship celebration in Munich, Germany, Sunday, May 18, 2025
Harry Kane won a title in Germany(Image: AP)
"Going abroad might cost him Alan Shearer's Premier League goals record, but, in the grand scheme of things, that shouldn't put him off. In five years, we could be talking about Harry Kane, Champions League winner with multiple Bundesliga titles and cup medals."
He added: "I'm sure Kane will get other offers. Manchester United have been mentioned, but he hasn't got time to be part of a team that is building. If he was going to leave, it would be primarily to win trophies from the get-go, which would make Bayern his best option."
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Kane would later dismiss any further interest from United to finalise his £100m transfer to Bayern. Kane blasted 44 goals and 12 assists in his debut campaign, but it still ended without silverware, as Bayern failed to win a major trophy for the first time in 10 years. Vincent Kompany's arrival saw Bayern retake their place at the top of the Bundesliga, and Kane contributed an outstanding 38 goals and 13 assists in 47 matches on his way to lifting his first major trophy.
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