Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes Harry Kane will still be disappointed by the fact that he failed to secure a summer move to Manchester City.
The England captain, who scored in all three of the Three Lions’ 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers during the international break earlier this month, was right at the very top of City’s wish list during the summer transfer window as they plotted a move for a new striker to replace the departed Sergio Aguero.
Despite being open and honest about their interest in Kane, City, who will be looking to record a fifth successive win in all competitions when they welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, were unable to secure a deal, with Tottenham Hotspur refusing to budge on their huge valuation of their talisman.
Although Kane, ahead of the transfer window closing, confirmed he would be staying at Spurs and would give his all for the north Londoners, Berbatov, a former Tottenham player himself, believes the England striker will still be thinking about what life could have been like playing for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Berbatov told Betfair: “Spurs made a great start to the season before losing to opponents you would expect them to beat. How many times have we said that in the past?
“Nuno Espirito Santo’s team were trashed by Crystal Palace last Saturday. It was infuriating because these are the games Spurs must win if they’re to make progress this season – 1-0, 2-0, I don’t care. Just get the three points.
“Tottenham have great players but if you aren’t consistent you have nothing. Harry Kane didn’t have a touch in the opposition box at Selhurst Park, the first time that’s happened in his career. He’s still brooding about not getting his move to City.
“Trust me, I’ve been in Kane’s situation and there are lots of emotions going through his head at the moment. He will be thinking: ‘What if that transfer had happened and I was playing for City now?’
“He needs to stay mentally strong because he is one of the best in the world. Once he starts scoring he will put the summer behind him and concentrate on performing for Spurs.”
Although City failed to land a striker during the summer, scoring goals has not be an issue so far this season, netting 17 goals in their last four matches, including six in Wednesday evening’s UEFA Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.
“Manchester City failed to sign a striker in the summer but they still hit six goals in their Champions League win over RB Leipzig,” Berbatov added. “Yes, the Blues conceded three but that doesn’t matter when you’re smashing them in at the other end.
“Pep Guardiola’s team have the quality to tighten up defensively when they face stronger opposition.”
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