Ex Manchester United star urges club to dodge £100m man Harry Kane and proposes Napoli alternative
- Seb Sternik
- 19 May 2023
Andy Cole insists Manchester United should sign 'strong' Serie A winner instead of making a big-money move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Former Manchester United forward Andy Cole believes the Red Devils can't afford to splash big money on Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane.
Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances across all competitions for United, sees Kane as a 'short-term' solution.
Kane, whose contract expires in 2024, has been linked with a move away from Tottenham.
While Manchester United are one of the clubs interested in the England international, they face stiff competition from clubs across the continent.
"Manchester United can't go with a short-term solution again," Cole told the William Hill and Footy Accumulators' No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. "They can't go and spend £80 million or £100 million on Harry Kane.
"In two years' time they'll turn round and say to themselves, 'he's 32, we need to get ourselves another striker'. They can't afford to find themselves in that position again.
"When you look at the recognised strikers that Manchester United have had, you look at the likes of Robin van Persie, but the crazy thing is that he only stayed for two years, and ever since then it has just been one after another for two years.
"A football club like Manchester United cannot just keep having different strikers for two years at a time, it's ridiculous. They know now that they have to sign someone who is going to give them five years."
Cole would prefer to see the Red Devils make a move for Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian international is just 24 years old and scored 56 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions.
Cole added: "I think if he came to Manchester United, the way I've seen him play for Napoli, he could do it at Manchester United.
"He's strong, he's physical, he can stretch the team and run in behind, he can score from wide areas, headers, crosses, he's got good feet... He's got it all.
"When it comes to numbers, it all depends on whether you've got the numbers to justify the money because if you buy him for £120 million, that's your budget gone."
