Are Bayern Munich Pushing TOO Hard for Harry Kane?

Bayern Munich look all set to break their transfer record and bring Harry Kane to the Allianz Arena, but is it really the right move they should be making?

Last season, by Bayern Munich’s absurdly high standards, was nothing short of chaotic and disastrous for the Bavarian Giants. 

Being taken to the final day in the Bundesliga by Borussia Dortmund, it took a late winner from Jamal Musiala against FC Koln to retain the title in less than convincing fashion. 

Additionally, a humbling in the Champions League courtesy of Manchester City, as well as an abrupt exit in the DFB Pokal at the hands of Freiburg meant Bayern’s trophy haul for the 22/23 season looked paltry compared to the previous heights achieved by Hansi Flick just a couple of seasons ago. 

Clearly still reeling from the loss of Robert Lewandowski, as well as needing an upgrade on an ageing Sadio Mane and inconsistent players like Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane, Bayern Munich have been on a heavy pursuit of the wantaway Harry Kane, but is the 30-year-old Tottenham striker really the best solution to what’s happening at ‘FC Hollywood’?

How does Harry Kane help Bayern Munich?

First and foremost, no one can deny that Bayern Munich and Harry Kane seem like a match made in football heaven: One player is desperately seeking a major trophy for the first time in his career, and a club is in desperate need of replacing arguably their greatest player in the modern era. At a club level, Kane only seems to be playing better and better, with his 30 league goals last campaign almost single handedly keeping Spurs in contention for Europe. 

It’s also unlikely a jump from London to Munich will jeopardise Kane’s chances in starting for England next Summer at the EUROs (coincidentally also taking place in Germany). As one of Gareth Southgate’s perennial favourites, it’s unlikely even terrible form in the Bundesliga would offset Kane over an in-form Ollie Watkins or Callum Wilson as England’s starting No.9.

Kane’s development as more than just a striker serves him not only as the perfect replacement for Robert Lewandowski, but as an alternative to Thomas Muller: Kane’s link-up, first properly developed under Jose Mourinho, sets him apart from many of the prolific strikers around nowadays, and like his partnership with Heung-Min Son, Kane’s arrival could truly get the best out of Bayern’s wingers. 

How could he hinder Bayern Munich?

It’s often fun to joke about one player being seemingly riddled with bad luck. Kane’s performances in crucial games for both his club and his country are incredibly poor: from the penalty miss against France during last year’s World Cup, to his anonymous performance in the 2021 EURO final loss to Italy, Bayern Munich are already a side who cannot accept more passengers, only serial winners. 

Then there’s the fee and longevity of Kane’s deal. With Daniel Levy reportedly negotiating for a triple digit figure and embedding a buyback clause, the deal is looking like worse and worse value for money for Bayern, who must surely be looking at the likes of Randal Kolo-Muani as another potential long-term Lewandowski replacement. 

Having such an exorbitant fee, even for a player of Kane’s calibre, would severely restrict Bayern across the rest of the pitch. Replacements will be needed in the coming seasons for the likes of Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer and Benjamin Pavard, and if Bayern want to compete with the Manchester City and Real Madrid sides which are on another echelon compared to the rest of Europe, they’ll need to spend big, something which doesn’t look too feasible with an ageing Kane coming into the lineup.