Manchester United Not Interested in Signing Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane
Manchester United has reportedly decided not to join the race to sign either Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane, despite both players being put up for sale. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has effectively transfer-listed Mbappe after he refused to trigger a one-year extension clause in his contract. Al Hilal, a Saudi Pro League club, has made a £259 million offer for the Frenchman. However, Mbappe has reservations about leaving Europe at this stage of his career, even if it’s just for one season. PSG is currently holding talks with other clubs about potential deals for the 24-year-old.
Similarly, Tottenham’s contract rebel Harry Kane is also likely to leave the club. Owner Joe Lewis has instructed chairman Daniel Levy to cash in on Kane rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. This development led to suggestions that Manchester United would reignite their interest in the 29-year-old, who was Erik ten Hag’s top target at the start of the transfer window. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester United’s hierarchy will not be engaging in transfer battles to sign either player.
One of the main reasons for Manchester United’s decision is their limited budget. The club has already spent over £100 million this summer on signings such as Mason Mount and Andre Onana. They simply cannot compete with Al Hilal’s record bid, which includes a staggering salary proposal of £11.6 million per week for Mbappe. Furthermore, Manchester United remains reluctant to open negotiations with Daniel Levy due to past experiences dealing with the Tottenham chairman.
There is also an expectation that Tottenham will demand a domestic rival premium if they sell Kane to another Premier League side. On the other hand, a move to Bayern Munich, who are leading the chase for Kane, could be completed for under £100 million. United’s focus remains on securing a deal with Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund, a forward who has impressed with his speed and goal-scoring ability. The club is currently negotiating the valuation for the Danish international, and a deal is expected to go through eventually.
It seems that Manchester United is prioritizing financial prudence and avoiding potential protracted negotiations with Levy. The club has had negative experiences in the past when dealing with the Tottenham chairman, particularly in deals for Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov. With their limited budget, United is focusing on securing deals that offer value for money and fit within their financial constraints.
In conclusion, Manchester United has decided not to pursue the signings of Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane. The club’s limited budget and reluctance to engage in negotiations with Daniel Levy have played a significant role in this decision. Instead, United is focusing on securing a deal for Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta. It remains to be seen how the transfer window unfolds and if any other clubs will make a move for Mbappe or Kane.