Harry Kane's recent comments regarding his Tottenham Hotspur future have led to the latest, and inevitable, round of transfer speculation.
Kane is reportedly attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, and as European club football enters the final phase of the season, the rumour mill will continue to gather pace in the coming months.
When asked about whether the recent speculation could act as a distraction until the end of the season, the England captain insisted he is only focused on delivering for his club and country and only after the campaign's conclusion will he think about his future.
"I think that's a hard question to answer right now," the 28-year-old striker said on Sunday. "It's important that all my focus is on the England games coming up now and the rest of the season with Spurs and then the Euros. To be thinking about speculation or rumours would be damaging in terms of my own performance.
"I'm fully focused on doing the job on the pitch from now until the end of the summer, and then we'll see where we go from there."
Kane's comments have been interpreted by some as a player being non-committal about his club future. He has in the past spoken about his willingness to leave Tottenham if he feels the club is not progressing to a point where he can challenge for major titles, with Kane telling Sky Sports in March last year: "It's one of those things – I've always said if I don't feel we're progressing as a team or going in the right direction, then I'm not someone to just stay there for the sake of it."
A strong end to the season by Tottenham – a League Cup final against Manchester City awaits and they are only three points off the Premier League top four – could see Kane remain, while the finances of any potential deal could prove inhibiting for many suitors amid the financial constraints brought on by the pandemic.
However, as one of the finest centre-forwards in world football, there will be no shortage of interest in Kane should he decide to leave Tottenham this summer – and big clubs usually have a way of finding the money for superstar players, particularly if space is freed up in the squad.
So where could Kane go if he does indeed leave Tottenham this summer? Here are seven potential destinations.
Manchester City
In many ways, Manchester City appears to be the ideal destination for Kane: a club regularly winning major trophies, the financial structure to conclude a deal, and soon a probable vacancy in the No 9 role. Sergio Aguero, City's all-time leading goalscorer, is in the final few months of his contract and looks increasingly likely to leave the Etihad at the end of the season. There are few strikers in the world who could fill the Argentine's boots beyond Kane.
City manager Pep Guardiola is a fan, describing Kane as "an incredible striker", so it would seem the Spaniard would endorse a move for the England captain. Money would therefore appear to be the primary stumbling block, with Spurs sure to demand a premium for a player with three years left on his contract.
Manchester United
The club perpetually linked with a move for Kane, Manchester United would have the infrastructure and apparent ambition to appeal to the 28-year-old striker. United are still some way short of the dominance they enjoyed during the Alex Ferguson era, but they do seem to be trending the right direction.
United have never been afraid to splash the cash for whom they deem to be the right player, and a striker that can all but guarantee 20-plus Premier League goals a season would fit the bill. The question would be if Kane would view a move to United as a big enough step in the right direction.
Real Madrid
Karim Benzema may be the teacher's pet but at 33 years old, the Frenchman will need replacing as Real Madrid's lead striker sooner rather than later. Only a handful of forwards could step in and succeed a player Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane rates as the "best No 9 in the world" – and Kane is among them.
In all honesty, only a few diehard Madridistas would agree with Zidane's verdict and in fact, Kane would represent a rather significant upgrade, despite Benzema's good form over the past two seasons.
If Kane's reasoning to potentially leave Spurs is to contend for major silverware, then Real Madrid could certainly satisfy those needs. Finances may be the issue, but Madrid have previous in clearing out players to balance the books for superstar arrivals. Getting Gareth Bale off the wage bill would be a start, while Eden Hazard has been an injury-prone disappointment since his €100m move from Chelsea.
Paris Saint-Germain
Of all the clubs that could offer Kane the opportunity to win trophies, PSG can guarantee it. The French club are far and away the dominant force of Ligue 1 and their progress in Europe was exemplified by reaching the Champions League final last season. Financially, PSG would have the muscle to match any demands Spurs and Kane might have.
However, one would expect that any potential move for Kane would depend on the future of Kylian Mbappe. The French striker has quickly emerged as the main man for PSG, but speculation regarding a move to Real Madrid persist. Should Mbappe leave the club, a move for Kane – and a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino – would make sense, but it's all circumstantial at this stage.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan are well placed to end Juventus' near decade-long dominance of Serie A, providing a clear sign that the sleeping giant has emerged from its slumber. To get back among the elite, Inter have invested heavily in the transfer market and manager Antonio Conte has favoured invading the Premier League to rebuild the squad.
Similar to the PSG situation, any move for Kane would be dependent on the futures of Inter's current strikers. Lautaro Martinez looks set to sign a new contract after being on the verge of joining Barcelona, but Romelu Lukaku is being linked with the exit.
Should the Belgian leave (Real Madrid and a return to Chelsea have been mentioned), then Kane would be the ideal replacement for Conte and Inter.
Juventus
It's been a tough season for Juventus by their standards and if reports are to be believed, an overhaul of the squad could be in order this summer. Juve have been among the super clubs to be hit hard by the pandemic, so any approach for Kane would have to be offset by other players leaving.
Could including Paulo Dybala help sweeten the deal? Tottenham attempted to sign Dybala in 2019 only for the Argentine to reject the move. Juve are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old forward and Spurs are thought to be among the clubs interested.
Despite their difficulties this season, Juventus are still a giant club that would, in most aspects, represent a step up for Kane.
Barcelona
To be clear, any move for Kane by any club this summer feels like a long shot, but it is indicative of the issues at Barcelona that they feel like the longest of long shots.
Granted, their Liga form has picked up and the Barca name still carries a lot of weight, but given their well-publicised financial problems there is perhaps only one way they can afford any potential deal for Kane: if Lionel Messi leaves.
Yet if Messi leaves, would Kane be interested in a move to Barcelona? The money may then be there, but a key motivation to join the club – the chance to play alongside Messi – wouldn't be. Barca certainly need a striker of Kane's calibre but it feels like an unlikely match.
