Harry Kane saga at Tottenham can only end one way

Whether we like to admit it or not, Harry Kane, who still hasn’t returned to the club in what can only be interpreted as a strike, does not have a future at Tottenham.

The worst case scenario is upon us. Kane, who still hasn’t officially submitted a transfer request, clearly doesn’t want to continue playing for his boyhood club. Daniel Levy’s defiance to acknowledge Kane’s wish to depart has caused an irreparable rift between player and chairman. The writing was on the wall when Kane chatted openly with Gary Neville a couple of months ago, making known his desire to leave.

Levy took a predictable position, refusing to acknowledge the reality of the situation. Kane wants to leave and nothing will prevent that outcome from eventuating. It was clear then and it’s even more apparent now. Levy’s defiance is only exasperating an already abject situation.

I’m not defending Kane’s recent actions. He has handled this situation terribly and continues to make a mess of it. There is no easy way for a legend of Kane’s stature to leave a club he has devoted the entirety of his professional career to. But there are certainly better ways than the path he has decided to embark on.

It feels eerily similar to the Christian Eriksen debacle. By no means is Eriksen in the same league as Kane, but one can draw comparisons to Tottenham’s handling of the situation. Levy is steadfast on refusing any and all offers for Spurs’ talisman. He is not even entertaining Manchester City’s offers, which has obviously alienated Kane further.

Spurs’ “he-is-not-for-sale” stance is incredibly risky. Kane is expected to report to camp at some point this week, but the damage is already done. Even if he does return, how invested will England’s captain be?

When a player’s mind is made up, there is only one eventual outcome. Why not at least entertain offers, negotiate and find a mutually beneficial conclusion? Having a player at camp who is not invested in the club’s future is not only counterproductive but can also cause long term, irreparable damage.

While nobody wants to see Kane leave like this, he has given the club no choice. Spurs must cash in on their prized asset, garnering the largest fee possible for him. Otherwise this unenviable situation could drag on and cause significant long-term damage. Tottenham can use the proceeds of his big-money transfer to build for the future. Let Fabio Paratici do what he does best. With an extra £130 – £150 million, imagine, even without the Europa or Champions League to offer, the kind of talent the Italian would entice.

Levy can ill-afford to let this situation drag on like the Eriksen disaster did. The Dane was sold for a fraction of what Spurs could have got for him had they not postered for months. If the price is right, get this deal done quickly.

Further posturing, delay and an unwillingness to sell will have a palpably negative effect on Tottenham’s on-field proposition going into the new season.