The Tottenham captain has been forced to address rumours that he has skipped training this week to force a move to Manchester City over the line
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Harry Kane ‘s denial of allegations that he has skipped Tottenham training suggests the wantaway striker has come to a realisation about the likelihood of a summer exit.
The England captain revealed that he is still scheduled to be on holiday, and will return to training in the coming week, as had been agreed with the club.
Kane has been at the centre of transfer discussions throughout the summer after it emerged that he would be willing to push for a move away from his boyhood club ahead of the new Premier League season.
The rumour mill accelerated this week as it was reported that the England number nine had not returned to training this week, supposedly preferring to stay on holiday with his family in hopes that a deal could be struck between Daniel Levy and Manchester City.
However, he has made the decision to clarify the situation through a post on Instagram, where he stated: “It’s almost ten years since I made my Spurs debut. For every one of those years, you – the fans – have shown me total support and love.
“That’s why it hurts to read some of the comments that have been made this week, questioning my professionalism.
“While I won’t go into the specifics of the situation, I want to clarify that I would never, and have never, refused to train. I will be returning to the club tomorrow, as planned.
“I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise the relationship I have with the fans who have given me such unwavering support during my time with the club.
“This has always been the case as it is today.”
It is still believed that Manchester City are in active pursuit of the 28-year-old, who signed a blockbuster six-year deal just prior to winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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Reports suggest that Levy is maintaining that he will not sell his striker, and is using the three remaining years on Kane’s contract as leverage in demanding a huge transfer fee, making a transfer for the Englishman difficult.
On Thursday, Gary Neville claimed the Kane saga would become “messy” if he and Spurs do not reach a compromise.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated: “They were on collision course already at the end of last season when Harry clearly felt something was happening and he’s taken Daniel Levy on.
“Not many do it, and not many come out the other side, but it’ll be interesting to see which clubs are involved.”
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Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
On Friday, City boss Pep Guardiola openly admitted that he would welcome the signing of Kane, but acknowledged it will be a very difficult deal to get over the line.
He said: “He is a player for Tottenham Hotspur and if Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it is finished.
“I think Man City and many clubs in the world want to try to sign him, we are not an exception, but it depends on Tottenham.
“It is different to Jack [Grealish]. He had the release [clause] and Jack is different. Harry is exceptional and we are interested in him but if Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, nothing more to say.”
Kane’s sudden statement suggests that the 28-year-old is not hopeful that Guardiola will get his wish, with Levy notorious for his hard-nosed negotiations.
With fans and pundits having turned against him admit his apparent strike, Kane has arguably realised that his best tactic now is to backtrack as quickly as possible.
The public statement is his first step on that road, with the 28-year-old forced into sitting tight until next summer when City will be better placed to buy him.
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