Madrid weigh up Kane bid

REAL MADRID are monitoring Harry Kane as they look to bolster their strikeforce this summer. Tottenham have had initial talks with the England captain about extending his contract, which expires in just over a year. They do not wish to lose their record goalscorer, particularly with manager Antonio Conte expected to depart this summer, but are aware of his desire to win trophies.

The 29-year-old is expected to attract enquiries from several big clubs at the end of the season, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich both interested. However, Tottenham’s valuation, the salary required and Kane’s age mean both clubs are not wholly convinced about the full cost of buying Kane, and that is before contemplating protracted negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Madrid are offering a contract extension to 35-year-old Karim Benzema and could revive their interest in Kylian Mbappe of Paris SaintGermain, but the merits of a move for prolific England marksman Kane have been discussed.

Levy would prefer to sell abroad, if Kane were indeed to leave. Overseas clubs could wait and agree a pre-contract next January to sign him for nothing if the Tottenham talisman refuses to extend his current deal. Conte yesterday admitted that securing Champions League football next season will be key to keeping Kane. Spurs are fourth in the Premier League but have Newcastle, Liverpool and Brighton breathing down their necks.

‘To finish in the top four could be very important for everybody, first of all for the club and for the players, the manager and the fans,’ said Conte ahead of today’s visit to bottom club Southampton. ‘For sure, if you finish in the top four many, many situations are more simple because you know that we are going to play Champions League. ‘The best players and the best clubs want to play in these competitions.’