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Not for the first time, Harry Kane’s Tottenham future is a hot topic.
The England captain drew level with Jimmy Greaves as Spurs’ all-time top scorer on 266 goals with his winner against Fulham on Monday.
Despite his continued brilliance, the 29-year-old is yet to lift a trophy with the North Londoners — leading to speculation over a potential exit this summer.
Premier League rivals Manchester United and European giants Bayern Munich have been linked with potential moves, though contrary reports indicate the striker is willing to extend his stay at Spurs.
Ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup fourth-round clash at Preston on Saturday, we look at what is next for their talisman.
Uncertain future
Like their situation two years ago, Spurs are facing a potentially uncertain summer.
Manager Antonio Conte has so far failed to give assurances he will stay beyond this season, with a squad rebuild under a new boss tipped in some quarters.
Amid the questions hanging over North London, their star forward recently insisted any talks over his future are on hold until the end of the campaign.
After Monday’s strike, he said of reported contract discussions: “There’s not been much talking, to be totally honest. I’m sure there will be conversations over the coming months.
“But to be honest I’m just focused on this season and doing my best for the team.
“[There’s] still a lot to play for, trying to get in the Champions League, and we’ve got the Champions League and FA Cup still to try and win so my focus is on that.
“I know that’s going to be probably rumours and a lot of talk about my future. But I’m just focused on what I can do.”
Trophy torment
Kane is currently enjoying one of his most productive Premier League seasons ever with an impressive 16 goals in 21 outings.
It is a matter of if, rather than when he becomes Tottenham’s out-and-out top scorer, while Alan Shearer’s Premier League record is firmly in the 29-year-old’s sights as he moved within 61 goals of the legendary former Newcastle ace.
But despite his reputation as one of English football’s finest marksmen already being secured, a trophy still eludes him.
Kane’s aim to compete for the top prizes was a key reason behind his failed move to Manchester City two years ago and that desire is still burning bright.
He added at Craven Cottage: “Of course, I want to win trophies with Tottenham Hotspur and that’s been my goal ever since I started playing first-team football with them. It hasn’t happened, I’ve been open about that.
“But I’ll continue to try and achieve that. We have a really good squad and a fantastic manager and there’s no reason why we still can’t be successful this season.
“So we’ve got to put everything we can into it and see where we are come May-June.”
There is certainly an argument to suggest winning even one trophy at his boyhood club is worth more to him than winning multiple elsewhere,
But that resolve will be tested more and more each passing season Tottenham’s now 15-year drought goes on.
Suitors circle
Recent reports suggest United are ready to test Kane’s loyalty by making him their priority target up front in the summer.
A year ago, it was hard to argue that a switch to Old Trafford would be any sort of step up for the Three Lions skipper but while Spurs have stagnated in that time, the Red Devils have enjoyed real progress under Erik ten Hag.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes United should do everything they can to make Kane their next striker.
In his column for Sky Sports, Merson said: “He’s the best centre-forward in the world. If I’m Manchester United, I’m spending £100m on Kane tomorrow.
“They just paid £80m for Antony and he won’t score as many goals in 10 years as Kane would score in a season for Man Utd.
“If Man Utd want to be anywhere near winning a title, they need a Kane. Seeing them against Arsenal, they’re a long way off still.”
Bundesliga champions Bayern are undoubtedly able to offer the trophies he is seeking but with Shearer’s record in his sights, it remains to be seen whether he would leave England.
Crunch time
The next five months could well be pivotal in deciding whether Kane stays on in North London or decides to finally move on.
For all the negativity surrounding recent Spurs results, they remain in the FA Cup and Champions League and are only three points off the top four.
That said, recent results have been a concern with six defeats in their last 11 Premier League games and real questions remain over the quality of the squad.
Whether Kane stays could be down to whether Daniel Levy can build a team capable of matching his star man’s lofty aims.
