Chelsea are considering an ambitious bid to land Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
The Blues will attempt to complete a deal with the north London club this summer by offering multiple players, along with cash, in order to acquire the wantaway English striker, according to James Olley of ESPN.
While Tottenham is reportedly unwilling to do business with their Premier League rival, Olley reports Chelsea are hopeful that Spurs may be enticed by an offer that includes forward Tammy Abraham and/or Kepa Arrizabalaga in a player-plus-cash transfer.
Both players are still relatively young and could benefit a Tottenham side that will likely be eager to rebuild if Kane departs this summer.
Uncertainty over Kane’s future arose earlier this week when he reportedly demanded a move away from Spurs after the season ends.
Given that Kane still has three years left on this contract, chairman Daniel Levy will reportedly demand a fee of around £150 million.
The 27-year-old England international recently suggested that Spurs may be wise to sell him, adding that his value on the transfer market could fall in the next two or three years. He also admitted that he wants to have an “honest conversation” with Levy about his future.
It was reported earlier in May that Chelsea are open to selling Abraham this summer, as the 23-year-old forward’s playing time has dramatically decreased this season under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Arrizabalaga, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea for £71.6 million in 2018, finds himself in a reserve role behind Edouard Mendy due to a string of poor performances earlier this season.
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is another Chelsea outcast who could be offered in a deal for Kane, Olley adds.
Along with Chelsea, Kane has also been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United.
But, as Olley reports, the two Manchester clubs are leading the race to sign Kane due to Chelsea’s complicated history with its London neighbors.
Chelsea previously tried to do business with Spurs when they attempted to sign Luka Modric. But Levy rejected an offer – along with the midfielder’s request to move to Stamford Bridge – and sold him to Real Madrid, as he was strongly against strengthening a Premier League rival.
Spurs, as Olley notes, were frustrated after Chelsea swooped in to hijack Tottenham’s pursuit of Willian back in 2013.