Sir Alex Ferguson's past remarks on Daniel Levy underscore the challenge Harry Kane faces in leaving Tottenham Hotspur this summer. Kane, who has been at Spurs since age 11, wants out but is confronted by Levy's £160 million asking price, which Manchester City is reportedly unwilling to meet.
Levy's reputation as a tough negotiator is well-documented, from Gareth Bale's £90 million move to Real Madrid in 2013 to Kyle Walker's £47 million transfer to Manchester City in 2016. Ferguson's autobiography details the difficulty of dealing with Levy, referencing the £18.6 million signing of Michael Carrick in 2006: 'Negotiations were very difficult and went on for ages.' He described the Dimitar Berbatov deal two years later as 'more painful than my hip replacement.'
Ferguson noted Levy's single-minded approach: 'You can’t discuss both sides of the issue with Daniel. It’s about him, and Tottenham, nothing more.' Former Dinamo Zagreb executive Zdravko Mamic recalled Levy deducting the cost of five shirts from Luka Modric's transfer fee in 2008, calling him 'the most capable negotiator in the world.'
Former striker Andy Townsend labelled Kane 'foolish and naive' for missing pre-season to force a move, given Levy's reputation and Kane's three-year contract. 'If Harry is relying on a gentleman’s agreement with someone who is notoriously difficult to look in the eye, then he’s been foolish,' Townsend told talkSPORT.
With Kane's contract running until 2024, Levy holds the upper hand. Unless a club meets his valuation, the England captain's departure remains uncertain.
