Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann refused to rule out a move for Harry Kane; German champions looking for a Robert Lewandowski replacement after he joined Barcelona this month; Spurs boss Antonio Conte on Bayern's public interest in Kane: "I think maybe it's a bit disrespectful"
Monday 25 July 2022 17:26, UK
Antonio Conte has criticised Bayern Munich for being "disrespectful" after publicly declaring their interest in Harry Kane.
Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann refused to rule out a move for the Tottenham striker after the German club's chief executive Oliver Kahn had revealed earlier this week that it would be a "dream" to sign Kane.
The Bundesliga champions are searching for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski after the Poland forward joined Barcelona in a £42.5m deal this month.
Asked about Bayern's pursuit of Kane, following Tottenham's 2-1 pre-season win at Rangers, head coach Conte said: "Honestly I didn't hear this. For sure I'm a coach who doesn't talk about players from other teams.
"I don't know why [this happened]. The situation at Tottenham is very clear. The plan is very clear with the club. Harry is a part of the project. He is a very important part of the project and yeah only rumours.
"At the same time, I don't like to speak about players from another club. If I want to do something I go to speak to the club, not through the media.
"I think maybe it's a bit disrespectful for the other club. This is my way. This is my way to face the situation with other players."
Kane pushed for a Spurs exit last summer, but after a move to Manchester City failed to materialise the 28-year-old helped Conte's side finish fourth to qualify for this season's Champions League.
The England international, who scored twice in the pre-season win at Ibrox to make it five goals in three games this summer, has less than two years left on his current Spurs deal.
Conte's comments come after Bayern boss Nagelsmann spoke publicly about Kane during the Bavarian club's pre-season preparations.
The German said of Kane: "He's very expensive that's the problem - but a brilliant player.
"[He's] one of the best forwards. [He's] perhaps one of two or three who can play as a centre forward [as well as a] No 10, but he's very strong, brilliant with [his] head and both feet.
"He could score a lot in the Bundesliga, I don't know the price, but it's really tough for Bayern Munich. We'll see what happens in the future."
Meanwhile, Kahn told German publication BILD: "He [Kane] is under contract with Tottenham.
"Sure, an absolute top striker, but that's all a dream of the future.
"Now we have to look at getting the squad together for the current season. So let's see what else happens."
Kane's Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier believes Nagelsmann's appreciation of Kane is 'normal' because he is a world-class player.
Speaking to Sky Sports News following the pre-season win at Rangers, the defender said of the 35-year-old's comments: "Yeah, that's normal.
"Every world-class player is always going to be spoken about a lot. But I don't really care.
"In football you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow let alone next week, so it's not something I'm really bothered about.
"It's just normal that world-class players are spoken about a lot."
European Football expert Andy Brassell speaking to Sky Sports News:
"Kane is someone who Bayern feel would fit them perfectly. He's one of the greatest strikers in the world and is one of the number nines who really could replace Robert Lewandowski.
"Kane's reaching that contract crunch time. Bayern want to see if he would be interested.
"They've had no indication whether he would be or not at the moment, but I think it's quite interesting how Kahn has never denied that Kane would interest him.
"But the big question is, is Kane interested?"
Who will be on the move this summer before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1?
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