Man Utd handed £60m transfer opportunity thanks to Man City’s Harry Kane chase

Euro 2020: Southgate confident transfer saga won't distract Kane

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Manchester United have been handed a major transfer boost thanks to Manchester City’s pursuit of Harry Kane. The striker has reportedly demanded he be allowed to leave Tottenham this summer in search of trophies, with City one of the frontrunners to sign the Englishman.

Pep Guardiola has reportedly made Kane one of his top targets for the summer after allowing Sergio Aguero to leave the club on a free transfer.

Kane is expected to cost in the region of £150million, with the England captain still having three years left on his contract and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy notorious for driving a hard bargain.

But that pursuit could have the consequence of handing fierce rivals United the advantage in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon youngster Nuno Mendes.

Mendes has become a regular since breaking into the team under Rúben Amorim, making 29 league appearances in the campaign just gone.

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The 18-year-old mainly lined up in the left wing-back role in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, helping Sporting to win their first Premeira Liga in 19 years, as well as the Taca da Liga.

Mendes was part of a defence that had the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 20 goals in their 34 games.

His impressive performances have also seen him earn a call-up to the Portugal national squad, with the 18-year-old set to feature at Euro 2020.

Both United and City are eyeing a move for the youngster, with the two Premier League rivals targeting a left-back this summer.

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The Red Devils are looking for a new back-up to Luke Shaw and are developing a reputation for signing the best young talent in Europe.

Guardiola’s side meanwhile see left-back as one of the few weaknesses in their squad, with winger Oleksandr Zinchenko frequently deployed there.

But it appears their pursuit of Kane could put paid to any hopes of signing Mendes, with both players set to demand a significant outlay.

According to The Athletic, City are fully focused on signing Kane, making it unlikely they will explore a move for Mendes this summer.

Instead, they will look to return to the young Portugal star in the summer of 2022, despite their scouts reportedly being “all over him”.

That appears to open the door for United, who at this time appear to be one of the frontrunners having already conducted talks with the player’s agent.

Leicester also appear to be interested in a move for the Sporting man, though the Portuguese champion’s asking price could rule them out.

It is said that they will demand a fee north of £43million for Mendes, with the 18-year-old still having four years left on his contract.
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