Tottenham have been urged to pursue a high-profile transfer for Chelsea’s club-record signing Romelu Lukaku if Harry Kane leaves the club this summer.
England captain Kane faces a crucial decision ahead as to whether he wants to stay at Spurs - where he is under contract until 2024 - or else again seek an exit having publicly agitated for a big-money move to Manchester City last year in his quest to win major silverware.
Tottenham’s shock FA Cup fifth-round exit at the hands of Middlesbrough was seen as a big setback to hopes of keeping their talisman in north London, though manager Antonio Conte now has his side in top form, with four successive Premier League wins seeing them leapfrog rivals Arsenal in the fierce battle for fourth place.
Champions League qualification would surely be a huge factor behind Kane’s decision over his future, while it also remains to be seen if he would be satisifed with the significant disruption a transfer would cause with the mid-season World Cup in Qatar looming later this year.
However, in the event that he does go, ex-Spurs striker Darren Bent believes his former club should try to pull off a shock deal for Lukaku.
The Belgian striker has flattered to deceive since a club-record £97.5million return to Stamford Bridge last summer, struggling to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s attack and making just 12 Premier League starts so far this term.
But Lukaku helped fire Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years under Conte in 2021 - so could a reunion with the Italian help him rediscover that lost scoring touch?
“As long as Antonio Conte’s there, I don’t think Harry Kane would go anywhere,” Bent told talkSPORT.
“But if worse came to worse and Harry Kane did leave, and go elsewhere, if they can get Lukaku, you’ve seen what Conte can get out of Romelu Lukaku.
“Even down to his nutrition, because that was the best I’ve ever seen him look, last season and at the start of this season.
“If there was an opportunity and Kane leaves and Conte can get Lukaku, I’d go out all day to get it, all day.
“I think as someone who has plenty of Premier League experience, there’d be no one better to replace Harry Kane.
“I know they’re completely different in terms of players, Harry Kane dropping in and [is] technically a better footballer, but Lukaku would be an adequate replacement, certainly with what he did with Conte already. So, I would.”
