In Munich, Harry Kane’s future at Bayern appears to be moving towards a settled conclusion rather than a winter-market departure. The England captain, now 33, has indicated that discussions over a new agreement at the Allianz Arena have reached an advanced stage.
The news from the club
Kane’s current Bayern contract is due to end when the season finishes, a situation that would allow him to open talks with other clubs from January. Yet the forward has made clear that he is content in Bavaria and expects an announcement to arrive before long.
“The conversations are continuing and they are going well,” Kane said during the international break. “We are quite close, although there are still a few points to sort out. I am happy there and I do not think it will be long before something is announced.”
The prospect is therefore of Kane extending his stay with the German champions, rather than entering the final months of his deal with his next destination unresolved.
Ballon d’Or debate
Kane also addressed the growing noise around the Ballon d’Or, where fellow contenders such as Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé have been making public cases through a succession of interviews.
He said every candidate was entitled to approach the contest as they wished, while noting that social media had made the award considerably more prominent and intensified the surrounding discussion.
“It is not really in my nature to speak about myself in that way,” Kane explained. He said that praise from teammates and former players meant more to him than promoting his own credentials.
Winning the award would nevertheless be an extraordinary honour, he added. Kane accepted that candidates who speak more or less frequently could shape the debate, but said the final judgement belonged to those casting their votes.
Ballon d’Or voting closes on 29 September.
