Harry Kane will see his Bayern Munich contract enter its final year next summer, marking an important moment in the then-33-year-old’s career.
During that time, the English striker will captain his nation for a third World Cup when the Three Lions travel to the United States in June in an attempt to bring back only a second international trophy.
The timing is frankly unhelpful for Kane, who will be laser-focused on the tournament rather than his club future. Figuring out his future in Germany, therefore, will be in consideration, albeit in the back of the mind, as he works out how he wants to spend his final years at the top of the footballing tower.
Many argue that this is the best version of Kane that has existed. He has started the season with 14 goals in nine games for club and country, and has driven Bayern Munich to a perfect start in all three competitions through his goalscoring and assisting.
Winning trophies was always the gap in his CV that alluded him from an otherwise impressive career, which has seen him become the record goalscorer for his local club, Tottenham Hotspur and his country, England.
Having won the Bundesliga, that question mark has disappeared, but it does not satisfy a person who suffered for so long without club silverware, which plays a part in his decision-making.
Multiple reports suggest Kane can leave Bayern Munich from January 2026 for just under £60 million, with Spurs holding matching rights, which ex-Chairman Daniel Levy negotiated in the striker’s exit from the club in 2023.
The question of what decision he makes purely depends on his footballing motivations as he edges closer to retirement age, though it is worth noting that due to his lack of reliance on physicality or speed, Kane could easily carry on into his late thirties.
Writing pros and cons lists is boring and ineffective, and can overcomplicate decisions. Instead, analysing each option properly can help everyone decide what is best for Harry Kane.
Staying put in Munich is probably the most lucrative option for Kane, ignoring non-footballing reasons (perhaps he wishes to take his family back to England, for example). He is scoring freely, winning trophies without wasting energy, and plays fewer games, meaning he can put his mind entirely towards international tournaments with less injury risk.
Winning the Champions League might also be on the agenda for Kane, who is not guaranteed to compete at that level in the Premier League, particularly as Liverpool and Manchester City have star strikers, and he is unlikely to join Chelsea or Arsenal, the former rivals of his boyhood club.
His best chance at European glory is this season. Bayern Munich have built a strong attack, Kompany’s side looks defensively more sound and will be able to focus on the competition in the latter stages of the season, providing a big gap is built from whoever is second in the Bundesliga.
If trophies are the main factor keeping Kane going at this rate, it is rather sensible to stay at Bayern Munich, which has provided him with an opportunity to play in high-profile games regularly.
Kane would only return to England for Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United due to the factors mentioned above.
Both are a risk. Manchester United look nowhere near ready to compete near the top of the Premier League in the next three years, let alone one. The manager is under scrutiny, and the players are inconsistent.
Unless he has a dream to help a dying club return to its former glory, this move is rather nonsensical. It would not stop Manchester United from trying, however.
Looking at North London, the dream is a tad more realistic. Son Heung-min lifted the club’s first trophy in 17 years in May, something that Kane stayed at Spurs for eight full seasons to try to do, but fell short and did not fancy sticking around in hope.
Now that the monkey is off his back, he could come home to try and realise that. Thomas Frank has begun positively and has made promising signings in an attempt to raise the club back into consistent Champions League contention, a factor that would certainly lure the all-time top goalscorer back to N17.
A personal shortcoming that he may wish to settle is the all-time Premier League record, and he remains only 48 goals off Alan Shearer’s remarkable 260 goals in the division. While it is not a team trophy, it would mark his goalscoring talents and would earn him immortal recognition, at least until Erling Haaland broke it.
Returning to Spurs would be a decision made in the heart, rather than the brain. His career was created at the club, and it gave him a platform to succeed. If he feels the desire to give back and win silverware, the door is certainly wide open.
Another Club
Two top European clubs could realistically want Harry Kane in the next 12 months. Barcelona, if there is a will to offload 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski, and Paris Saint-Germain, if Luis Enrique deems the England striker a good fit.
This move would be a sidestep from the gigantic Bayern Munich, it must be said, but a different league or a club such as Barcelona could be an opportunity to impress again, and compete for other titles, such as returning the Champions League to the Catalan club for the first time since 2015 alongside world-class teenager Lamine Yamal.
It is not yet the time for Kane to move to the MLS or the Saudi Pro League, it must be stated. He remains a footballing phenom, an all-rounder with an elite mentality.
His decision will remain an enigma until rumours of his contract build up, but his motivations in football will hold the key to where he goes, or if he stays.