Pep Guardiola has played down Manchester City’s chances of signing Harry Kane from Tottenham this summer unless the north London club lower their asking price.
The Premier League champions are keen to sign a successor for their record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, after the Argentine ended his decade-long, trophy-laden career at the Etihad Stadium.
City maintain an interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, but the German club value their prize asset at around £140m and are minded not to lose the Norwegian in the same window as Jadon Sancho, who is primed to join Manchester United.
Kane has already notified Tottenham of his intention to seek a fresh challenge in search of the silverware that has so far evaded him throughout his career and made his feelings known in a wide-ranging interview with Gary Neville earlier this summer.
The 28-year-old has since enhanced his repuation with three goals in England’s last two games at Euro 2020, but at this stage it looks unlikely he will be joining any of Spurs’ domestic rivals before the start of the new season.
‘At the prices [quoted] we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it,’ Guardiola said.
‘All clubs are struggling financially; we are not an exception. We have Gabriel [Jesus] and Ferran [Torres] who have been incredible in this position.
‘We have young players in the academy and we play many times with a false nine. There is more of a chance we aren’t going to buy a striker for next season.’
City laid the groundwork for a £100m move last month but Spurs have since moved to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as Jose Mourinho’s belated permanent successor.
‘Whenever a new manager comes in, I guess there’s a level of excitement around the club. Obviously, I’ve not been there and not had any contact with him,’ Kane said of Espirito Santo on Monday.
‘I’m away with England now and my full focus is on here. Hopefully, we’ve got a week left. He’s a great manager and did a great job at Wolves and got them playing a really good way.
‘Let’s get back and I’m sure we’ll be in contact after the tournament.’
MORE : Harry Kane praises ‘great’ Nuno Espirito Santo to give Tottenham fans hope over transfer u-turn
MORE : James Maddison slams Harry Kane doubters after England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Ukraine
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