Arsenal and Tottenham legends clash over Harry Kane Gunners transfer
Arsenal potentially signing Tottenham legend Harry Kane from Bayern Munich caused a heated exchange between Paul Merson and Michael Dawson.
Kane has been linked with a return to Tottenham, after it emerged that the England international has a release clause in his contract that will drop to £54million in the summer.
However, Arsenal have now emerged as surprise suitors for the striker as Merson tips him as an ideal option, in a similar cross-rivalry move to the one that saw Sol Campbell criticised by Spurs fans.
Arsenal are suffering an injury crisis this season, as Bukayo Saka underwent hamstring surgery, and is not expected to return until next season.
With Kai Havertz struggling as Arsenal’s striker, Merson believes the Gunners should make a move for the England captain.
The ex Gunner man’s comments drew the ire of Dawson, who doesn’t believe Kane would make the controversial move.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday the pair went back and forth, with Merson saying (1.09pm): “I would have bought, I keep on saying Isak, there’s not a lot around. I’d go Harry Kane, I’d pay the £60-odd-million for Harry Kane, 100%. I know it’s not my money.”
Former Spurs defender Dawson cut in: “If Harry Kane would have gone to Arsenal.” Merson hit back: “Ah, like Sol Campbell didn’t? Why? What’s different?”
Dawson: “It’s different, 100%. Harry Kane would not have gone to Arsenal. In my opinion I don’t would’ve gone to Arsenal.”
Merson pointed out the release clause and Dawson replied: “I still don’t think he would ever go to Arsenal. May be wrong, Tim knows him a lot better than me.”
Merson “If he wins the league, which he should, with Bayern Munich now, when he does that I would think that’s it. Unless he thinks he can come back and beat Shearer’s record at Tottenham, I don’t see the point in coming back to Tottenham. There’s no point in coming back to have a chance at beating that, and I don’t think he’ll have as much chance at beating that at Tottenham than what he would at Arsenal.”
Tim Sherwood then added: “I couldn’t see it happening. But I agree with Merse, wherever he comes back to he comes back to a club where he thinks he can win something in the English league.”
Harry Kane will return to England for Premier League trophy
Football Insider Verdict
Should Kane return to England in the summer, it is likely he will do so for two reasons; to win a Premier League trophy, and to break Alan Shearer’s record of 260 Premier League goals.
Kane currently sits second, on 213 goals, and despite his stint in Germany, could still be in a position to break that record.
Whilst the move to Bayern has shown that, that record is not the Englishman’s top priority, winning trophies does matter to Kane.
England’s top scorer was linked with a move to Man City in 2021, in a move that was likely motivated by Spurs’ failings to build a squad around him capable of winning competitions.
Arsenal signing Harry Kane would be unforgivable for Tottenham fans
A move to Arsenal is only likely to happen if they can prove to Kane that they are genuine title-contenders in both the Premier League, and Champions League, rather than the perennial runners-up they have been in the last few seasons.
Much like Campbell’s aforementioned controversial move from Spurs to the Gunners, Kane would be decimating his relationship with Tottenham fans if he made the move.
Such is the rivalry between the two clubs, that despite taking Spurs to a Champions League final in 2019, any goodwill between Kane and his former side would disappear immediately.