Barcelona make contact with Kane's camp as Bayern move to secure new deal

Barcelona have made direct contact with Harry Kane’s representatives as the La Liga champions seek a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, but the England captain’s camp have signalled their preference is to stay at Bayern Munich.

Kane, 32, is entering the final year of his contract at Bayern after three prolific seasons in Germany. According to the Mail, Barcelona executives reached out to Kane’s representatives to register their interest, with both parties agreeing to revisit the situation once England’s World Cup campaign concludes. Kane’s camp are said to have shut down the initial conversation, however, with their focus firmly on agreeing a new deal at the Allianz Arena.

Kane scored his third goal of the tournament in England’s 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey on Saturday, taking his side into the round of 32 against DR Congo on Wednesday. A potential last-16 meeting with Mexico or Ecuador awaits should England progress.

Bayern are determined to keep the striker, who scored 61 goals in 51 games for the club last season and helped them lift the Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal. Kane also chose not to activate a reported £56 million release clause in his current contract this summer, a move widely interpreted as a sign of his commitment to the club.

Club legend and Bayern advisor Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed in April that formal contract talks would take place after the season ended. “Getting Harry Kane to Munich was an important coup in the history of the club,” Rummenigge told t-online. “He didn’t trigger that [release clause] and signalled that he would definitely stay in Munich. And, as agreed, now those responsible in the operational area will hold talks with him at some stage after the season.”

Barcelona’s interest stems from Lewandowski’s decision to leave Camp Nou. Hansi Flick’s side have also pursued former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid have so far refused to sell him to a domestic rival, leaving Kane as an alternative target.

Kane and his family are settled in Bavaria, and the striker has repeatedly stated his happiness at the club. With informal discussions over an extension already having taken place last season, Bayern will be confident of tying down their record-breaking striker before his contract expires.