Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou tells Bayern Munich only one deadline matters in Harry Kane chase
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Kane has entered the final 12 months of his six-year Spurs contract and has been courted aggressively by Bayern Munich
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou told Bayern Munich only one deadline mattered in their bid to sign Harry Kane, as the English Premier League side rejected a £86 million (S$147.4 million) bid, days after the German giants’ self-imposed cut-off time.
Kane has entered the final 12 months of his Spurs contract and has been courted aggressively by Bayern, who set a deadline of midnight on Friday following their third offer for the 30-year-old striker.
However, Tottenham continue to hold firm on the England captain, who scored four goals in a 5-1 pre-season friendly win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday in what was new boss Postecoglou’s first match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but could be the Spurs hero’s last.
Postecoglou said only one date counted when it came to the protracted saga of Kane’s future. He said: “We know there’s one deadline and that’s the end of the transfer window.
“Beyond that, I’m in open dialogue with Harry and with the club on a regular basis. I’ve said to them that if the status quo changes then inform me... I’m building a team here. I can’t wait (around) for a decision either way to get going.”
The former Celtic manager added: “You saw today (on Sunday) that Harry certainly is invested in what we’re doing and we’ll keep on doing that unless something changes.”
Bayern have made no secret about their pursuit of Kane, with Postecoglou insisting: “I certainly wouldn’t talk about contracted players at other football clubs but I’m not at Bayern mate, so they can go the way they want.”
Postecoglou was given a rousing reception by the Spurs faithful and the noise increased when it was announced Kane would captain the north London side in the absence of Hugo Lloris.
Spurs academy graduate Dane Scarlett came on for Kane in the 80th minute, and Kane left the pitch to a standing ovation before responding with applause to all four corners of the ground.
Scarlett scored with the last kick of the game and at the full-time whistle, Kane, who became the club’s all-time leading scorer in February, again walked to each side of the stadium to show his appreciation to the fans.
Postecoglou however, played down the significance of the gesture.
“You are reading something into it, aren’t you,” the Australian said.
“I don’t even know what’s in Harry’s mind, let alone anyone else’s. I think all these things will obviously play out over the next period, we’ll deal with what happens from there.” AFP
