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Manchester United legend Andy Cole suggests the club to someone younger than Harry Kane to bolster the striking department
Former Manchester United striker and legend Andy Cole insists that the club should look to sign a number nine who is younger than Harry Kane in the summer window.
Kane only has a year left in his contract at Tottenham Hotspur, but he won’t come at a cheap regardless of his contract situation. United’s past dealings with Daniel Levy have been sporadic, to say the least. The last Spurs player they signed was Dimitar Berbatov in 2009.
The England international will turn 30 in the summer, hence there might be a concern that his peak may last for another 2-3 years at the maximum. But, we have seen the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema going strong in their mid-30s.
Cole thinks United should not spend the big money on Kane and look to sign someone younger. Here’s what he said (h/t William Hill, via Manchester Evening News):
“Manchester United can’t go with a short-term solution again. They can’t go and spend £80 million or £100 million on Harry Kane.
“In two years’ time they’ll turn round and say to themselves, ‘he’s 32, we need to get ourselves another striker’. They can’t afford to find themselves in that position again.”
Talk about a younger option, United have also been linked with a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (25). They are hopeful of getting the Nigerian international even though the Serie A champions’ president is not interested in selling him this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund, 20, is also a United target but he is too young and could do by playing more for Atalanta before being considered by Erik ten Hag unless the Dutchman is confident of getting the best out of him from now itself.
If we go back to what Cole said, he is 100% right. The Red Devils cannot sign Kane for big money now and in two years’ time start questioning the choice if the Spurs man starts dropping his performance levels due to age.
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We also have to remember that Kane started playing regular football in his early 20s. So, there might a case of his peaking lasting till 32-33 and that’s all. An interesting summer comes because United must sign a number nine if they are to progress next season.
