Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to end their wait for a new striker by activating Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich release clause.
The England skipper is enjoying another prolific campaign in the Bundesliga and scored two penalties in last night’s 3-0 win over Wolfsburg to take his tally for the season to 28 goals in as many matches in all competitions.
Despite his record breaking first campaign in the Bundesliga, Kane missed out on the trophies he craves after Bayer Leverkusen enjoyed a season of unprecedented success.
Kane’s quest for silverware finally looks set to end in glory this season, however, with Bayern now eight points clear at the top of the table but his long-term future remains uncertain.
Talk of a potential return to the Premier League resurfaced this week after it emerged that the 31-year-old’s contract contains a £54million release clause that can be activated next January.
Asked about the situation Kane said: ‘What I can say is that I’m very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause.’
Arsenal kept their powder dry last month and are, as a result, belatedly set to add to their attack at the next possible opportunity.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but with Newcastle in a strong negotiating position Merson believes Arsenal would be better served moving for Kane, despite his affinity to Tottenham.
Merson told Sky Sports: ‘I keep on saying Isak but there’s not a lot around. I’d go Harry Kane. I’d pay the £60-odd million for Harry Kane.
#I know it’s not my money. Like Sol Campbell didn’t (go to Arsenal)?
‘He’s got that clause. If he wins the league which he should with Bayern now but when he does that I think that’s it and come back.
‘If he thinks he can beat Shearer’s record at Tottenham, but I don’t see the point coming back to Tottenham.
‘There’s no point just coming back just to beat that and I don’t think he’d have as much of a chance of beating that than he would at Arsenal.’
Tim Sherwood, who gave Kane is Spurs Premier League debut added: ‘I can’t see it but I think wherever he comes back to a club where he thinks he can win something and beat the record.
‘He could do that at Tottenham, he’d score a lot of goals there. He wants to win trophies.
‘He won’t let up, he’ll keep going. If he does decide to come back to the Premier League there will be plenty of takers but he’ll want a team who he thinks can win.’