How much sense does a move to Bayern Munich make given Tottenham’s desire for Harry Kane to sign a new contract and their reluctance to let him join a Premier League rival for free the next season? The move may be able to resolve issues for the player and the club.
Bayern Munich wants deals but doesn’t need them. Germany, who has won 33 championships overall with the previous 11 victories occurring back-to-back, needs the greatest man available. Bayern can be sure that they have found him in Harry Kane.
To get the England captain to Bavaria, they are willing to break the Bundesliga transfer record. Even though he will soon turn 30, there is still optimism that Kane will be the difference in the near future and help Bayern win the Champions League they so desperately want.
Bayern led the Bundesliga in scoring once more last season with 92 goals, so it may seem odd to suggest it, but a striker is necessary. After Robert Lewandowski left, an effort was made to change the focus of the attack, although it was not entirely successful.
He stated the following to Lothar Matthaus last summer: “Bayern Munich have been playing for the last 10 to 15 years with the system 4-2-3-1. With Lewandowski and before that with Miroslav Klose. Always with a No 9.” Julian Nagelsmann sought to change that.
Others intervened. The 34-year-old Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had his highest scoring season in a lengthy career. But the fact that he tied for first place in scoring at Bayern with 17 goals revealed the disparity. In the preceding seven seasons, Lewandowski’s age has not fallen below 40.
Nagelsmann messed around, which cost him his job in March and some fluency. In his first game, a convincing victory over Borussia Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel switched back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, the way they stumbled to the title underlined underlying issues.
Despite Bayern’s wealth of quality, Kane is the only consistent finisher on the team. Although the transfer to Chelsea in 2021 proved to be far too tough to complete, Tuchel did speak about the interest in the striker and was enthusiastic in his admiration.
“If you find any coach around the world who would not like to have Harry Kane in his team, call me again,” said Tuchel at the time. “I would like to speak with the guy and hear about his ideas of scoring and attacking. Of course, everybody loves Kane.”
Even in a Premier League season where Erling Haaland defied predictions, Kane came in just six goals short of a player on a team with a vastly superior record. His 30-point total matched his finest competition season to date. Although it is routine now, Kane is still fantastic.
In fact, the fact that Kane also contributes as a creative presence in possession is the statistical difference that stands out the most between Haaland and Kane. Tuchel has praised Tottenham’s capacity to slink into crevices and open up room for counterattacks.
In the Premier League last season, Kane was among the top 10 players for chances created via open play, opportunities that were obvious to see, through-balls, flick-ons, and layoffs. He supplies as well as scores, as evidenced by his well-known connection with Heung-Min Son.
At Bayern, there is no shortage of runners waiting for him. Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry, as well as Jamal Musiala. Everyone could gain from having an attacking pivot who can weave attacks together and make the line-breaking pass.
Because of Kane’s diverse skill set, Tuchel may use him to support that counter attacking strategy as well as make use of his penalty box presence when Bayern are in control. This player recently broke the Premier League season record for headed goals.
Kane has the chance to improve his own performance by taking use of the brilliance around him. Numbers are important, but status is as well. Although Kevin Keegan, the captain of England at the time, moved to the Bundesliga in 1977, the game has altered since then, and he still serves as an example.
Keegan already had a European Cup victory with Liverpool, but his Ballons d’Or victories came at Hamburg. Playing overseas still benefits. It has been 30 years since a recipient of that particular award spent their entire professional career in a single European league.
Although it is hard to envision Kane’s stature in England climbing any higher, his modest 21 goals in the Champions League are fewer than teammates Alvaro Morata, Edin Dzeko, and Olivier Giroud. Seven years younger than him, Haaland is already 35.
Bayern is placing a wager that Kane will be motivated by the chance to move from the seventh-favourite team for the Premier League championship to the second-favourite team for the Champions League trophy. His career would undoubtedly change if he were to win it.
Kane has a reputation for professionalism, and his unwavering focus makes him a survivor. He may be a valuable asset for Bayern as well as one that could be sold even after many years of service. It is just one of many variables at work.
Is there a temptation for both parties to wait as he enters the last year of his contract? At the tail end of the season, Bayern will need Kane, and a deal may be reopened in January. Kane now has his sights set on Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record.
But despite all the difficulties, there are still two truths.
Kane might benefit Bayern. Bayern might also support Kane.
