MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 04:23:17| >> :120:6959:6959:

Andy Cole warns Manchester United: 'Signing Harry Kane would be a gamble'

Talking exclusively to Sports Mole, Andy Cole advises Manchester United to make a "cheeky" bid for Sergio Aguero, rather than spend £40m on Tottenham's Harry Kane.

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has told Sports Mole that the club "would be gambling" if they were to firm up their reported interest in Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane.

The 2014-15 campaign was a breakthrough one for Kane, who scored 31 goals in all competitions for the North Londoners, as well as going on to mark his senior England debut with a goal only 79 seconds after he had come on as a second-half substitute against Lithuania at Wembley.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on February 7, 2015© Getty Images

Last term, Louis van Gaal's United found the net on just 62 occasions in 38 outings, which was their second lowest return since the introduction of the Premier League in 1992.

With Van Gaal having decided against turning Radamel Falcao's season-long loan stint at Old Trafford into a permanent move, and increasing doubts over the future of Robin van Persie, there have been suggestions that the Dutch boss will be in the market for at least one centre-forward this summer.

There have been strong links of late with 21-year-old Kane, but Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for the Red Devils, believes that, with a rumoured £40m price tag on his head, United may be better off turning their attention elsewhere.

"He's had one season and being brutally honest, he did very well. When your luck is in, it's in," said the 43-year-old. "Whether it's paper talk or not, £40m is a hell of a lot of money for where Manchester United need to try to get. They need to do well in the Premier League and in Europe.

Harry Kane of Spurs scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Offs Round Second Leg match against AEL Limassol on August 28, 2014© Getty Images

"At that money, you would be gambling [on Kane]. It could be all paper talk, but £40m is a hell of a lot money."

As far as alternative options to Kane go, Cole suggested that United should launch an audacious bid for a player that is already based in Manchester.

"Luis Suarez went for around £60m last summer, so I'd be putting another £20m on top [of the reported Kane fee] and try to find a top, top striker. What I'd do, I'd be cheeky and bid £60m for Sergio Aguero, just like Manchester City did with Wayne Rooney a few years ago," he added.

Kane was second to Aguero in the Premier League's goalscoring chart last season, with the Argentine firing in 26 goals - five more than the Spurs frontman - despite a number of injury problems.

ID:228006: cacheID:228006:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5440:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal with Marcos Rojo and Ashley Young of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on February 28, 2015
Read Next:
Rooney 'wants Kane at Man United'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!