Real Madrid are a club in transition, as they are set to make huge changes to their playing personnel over the coming transfer windows. In search of a new talisman after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, they have made their interest known in Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Los Blancos have contacted Spurs about a potential deal, with the English club quoting them a world record price. They are believed to have asked €350million for the player, a deal which would shatter the previous record set by Neymar's €222million move to PSG.
Madrid have not been turned off the transfer as of yet, and will return to the negotiating table during the summer.
Spurs will no doubt be desperate to hang on to their prized asset. Kane is one of the top strikers in the game at the moment, having netted 155 goals over the past five seasons. He also won the World Cup golden boot during the summer, the first Englishman since Gary Lineker to claim the award.
Having come through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane, Kane will no doubt feel a sense of loyalty to his childhood club. One would have to wonder how much further he can advance his career in North London, however.
While the move into the new stadium will no doubt be appealing, Tottenham making further progress on the pitch is less than certain. Mauricio Pochettino has been heavily linked to both the Real Madrid and Manchester United jobs, and many expect this to be his last season with Spurs.
Whatever manager is in charge next season is unlikely to have much available in the way of transfer funds, with the construction costs of the new stadium likely to have an impact on the club's finances. With the current squad already seemingly well behind Liverpool and Manchester City, Kane may decide now is the time to move on.
For Real Madrid, they are likely to recruit a number of high profile players over the next 18 months or so. The likes of Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema have all reached their 30's, and their current squad seems like one desperately in need of some rejuvenation.
They have also been linked with a move for Eden Hazard, and with a new manager also likely to be appointed, there will certainly be some very interesting times ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu.
