Kane could be a Real winner and still pass Shearer

Tottenham striker can achieve trophy dreams and goals record

- Dan Kilpatrick

JUST as Tottenham feared, this summer already has the making of another Harry Kane transfer saga.

Manchester United have a long-standing interest in Kane, who has entered the final year of his contract, while Spurs could soon face an approach from Real Madrid, who are searching for a replacement for Karim Benzema.

Spurs are adamant that Kane will not be sold to a Premier League rival, opening the door to interest from Madrid, but there has long been reason to assume that Kane will not consider a move abroad.

Conventional wisdom dictates that Kane will not leave the Premier League until he has surpassed Alan Shearer as the competition’s all-time leading scorer, a milestone he has long coveted and never been shy about discussing.

Two years ago, when Kane tried to force his way out of Spurs, he had no interest in a move overseas, partly because Shearer’s record was still some way off. Today, Kane’s preference is still to remain in English football, but he can afford to be more open-minded, given the trajectory of his career.

Kane’s 30 League goals this season (his joint most-prolific campaign, despite Tottenham’s general awfulness) moved him to 213 in total, just 47 short of Shearer’s record of 260.

Since breaking into the Tottenham first team in 2014-15, Kane has averaged 23 League goals a season, so he effectively needs just two more years in England to overhaul Shearer.