Bayern Munich may be powerless to stop Premier League clubs bidding for Harry Kane next summer.
But a not-so-secret figure could hold the key to slamming the door shut on any such talk of the 32-year-old making a shock return to English football.
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Why Kane's wife could scupper Premier League return
The figure in question is Kane's wife, Katie.
According to German publication Bild, Katie is loving life in Bavaria, which could prove key to convincing Kane to stay put.
The report adds the family enjoy high levels of privacy in Munich, something they were not afforded in London during Kane's time at Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking earlier this year, Kane emphasised his delight at how he and his family were received by Bayern supporters when he first arrived as they quickly assimilated into Bavarian life.
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"The way the people welcomed us was extraordinary," Kane said.
"It touched us deeply as a family. Not just me, but all of us.
"The children go to school and love it. My wife feels very comfortable too.
"We truly enjoy every second."
Kane also revealed in an interview with The Guardian in 2024 his kids have even taken up skiing, something which he unfortunately cannot join in on due to the risk of injury.
"Just having that had been great for them," Kane said.
Harry Kane poses alongside his wife Katie at an Oktoberfest event in Munich
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Kane married Katie in 2019 and the couple share four kids, with two daughters and two sonsCredit: Getty
The England captain added: "I haven't been (skiing) yet but I do want to go and watch them. They're loving it. They'll be speaking the language before me too."
Does Kane have a release clause and how much is it?
Murmurs of Kane's potential return to English football stemmed from the revelation his release clause will drop from £67million to £56m next summer.
talkSPORT reported in September Kane is open to a Premier League homecoming and would not limit himself to Spurs, the club where he established himself as one of the world's elite strikers, should a move back to England eventuate.
Kane, who joined Bayern in August 2023 for £87m, is contracted with the German giants until 2027.
Why could Kane be tempted to make a Premier League return?
One major temptation for Kane to return to the English top flight would be the opportunity to break Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goal record.
Shearer stands alone at the top of the tree with 260 goals, 47 more than Kane at the time of the latter's departure.
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane
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Kane has been the Bundesliga's top scorer for two consecutive seasons and is on course to do so for a thirdCredit: Getty
Goals have not been hard to come by for Kane since he moved to Bayern, though.
Since his switch, the 32-year-old has scored a staggering 105 goals in 109 games across all competitions and has broken numerous records along the way.
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Kane also finally ended his wait for silverware as Bayern reclaimed the Bundesliga crown last season.
The England hero is in fine form this term too and leads the Bundesliga's golden boot race with 12 goals to his name, six more than Eintracht Frankfurt's Jonathan Burkardt who is second in the running.