With it now looking increasingly likely that Tottenham will agree a sale of Harry Kane before the transfer deadline, a new striker is high up on the list of desires. Players have been linked in numerous names and from various teams, but two names have stuck around all summer: Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale, and Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina. With Fabio Paratici having a long-standing knowledge of the Italian game, his opinion of both strikers is believed to be that either, or both, would be the perfect Kane replacement.
For years, Spurs have struggled with finding a back-up to Kane who can fill in when needed. That is why the potential double-signing of Vlahovic and Martinez would be such a major game-changer for the club. Both players are believed to be available for transfer, albeit at premium fees. Inter have recently sold their key striker in Romelu Lukaku, but could still take on a sale of Martinez for a fee in the region of €80m.
Vlahovic is expected to be available at around €40-50m, making the duo likely to cost around the maximum that Spurs will get back for Kane. Both players, though, are likely to fit into the same wage budget as Kane makes now, allowing Spurs to flip one key forward into two excellent players who could easily play together or apart.
While some fans are likely still unsure about the sale of the club captain and star player, his lack of arrival for proper pre-season and his late return has caused a lot of issues. Though new coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been diplomatic when talking about Kane in the press, it is clear that he feels let down by a player who has had his head turned.
Can Spurs cope without Harry Kane?
Naturally, most fans are worried that the loss of Kane would be the end of their period of time around the top of the Premier League. However, despite the regularly outstanding performances, Kane has often failed to perform at the highest games. He has never shown up in a Final for Spurs, and even played horrendously in the fatal 2019 UEFA Champions League. Upon his replacement in Madrid, Spurs instantly created a few chances.
Kane has regularly played well against the likes of Arsenal, but has often failed to really fire on the biggest evenings for Spurs. Indeed, there has long been an argument that his return for the team in Madrid, ahead of the in-form Lucas Moura who took the club to the Final in the first place, was a detrimental moment in the Mauricio Pochettino era that caused divides.
While the hometown hero is beloved by Spurs, a selfish streak was always seen as something that could be worked around. With Kane now in a position where he has burnt bridges with some fans, there may be some who are happy to bring an end to the Kane era and start fresh.