Chelsea striker rumors: Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho, Robert Lewandowski latest

Harry Kane’s now widely reported desire to leave Tottenham Hotspur seems to be as real as it’s ever been, with ESPN joining in by adding that Kane has made as much clear to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, and that while Spurs are prepared to dig their heels in, there’s been an acceptance at the club for some time that Kane will leave this summer.

Kane hasn’t (yet) handed in an official transfer request, but apparently remains confident that he will be allowed to leave after agreeing to stay last summer at Levy’s behest. But Spurs are also unimpressed with Kane’s timing, believing it to be an unwelcome distraction amidst their last desperate push for European football, as per the Athletic.

According to the Daily Mail, the two Manchester clubs have already have drawn up plans to sign Kane but according to Forbes, Manchester United will prioritize the signing of the much cheaper (and younger) Jadon Sancho instead. United do not want to spend their entire transfer budget on a centre forward, especially when Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial are still in the squad.

Borussia Dortmund have already started looking at replacements for Sancho, with Jonathan Ikone of Lille their priority target at a reported asking price of €25m. The likes of Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven), David Neres (Ajax) and Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting) are also on their wishlist, as per France Football.

Meanwhile, over at Bayern, Robert Lewandowski still hasn’t signed a new contract, so that gives a chance for Sky Deutschland to report breathlessly that Chelsea, Barcelona and PSG are all very much interested, and have sounded out the 40-goal-man’s representatives.

It’s still extremely unlikely that any of the three would actually sign Lewandowski, with the player reportedly not keen on France, Barcelona in dire financial straits, and Chelsea unlikely to offer a massive multi-year contract to any player over the age of 30, regardless of how good they still might be. And of course, Bayern are even more unlikely to actually let him go, but this story will continue to percolate in the background until the 32-year-old signs a new contract.