Why Real Madrid president blocked summer move for Harry Kane - report

Real Madrid passed up on the chance to sign Harry Kane last summer prior to his move to Bayern Munich as it interfered with future plans to recruit Kylian Mbappe, reports in Spain claim.

Kane's Bayern welcome Madrid to the Allianz Arena for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night.

The England captain joined the Bavarians from boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur last summer, ending nearly two decades of association with Spurs in search of a new challenge.

Before signing on the dotted line at Bayern, Kane was linked with various other clubs, including Manchester United and Madrid.

Spanish outlet Relevo report that Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring in a new star striker after Karim Benzema's surprise departure to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, and Kane was his preferred option.

However, Madrid club president Florentino Perez denied this request as he did not want to bring in another forward ahead of the expected arrival of Mbappe in the summer of 2024. Perez was willing for Madrid to play the 2023/24 season without a recognised striker, with their only natural option at centre forward being Espanyol loanee Joselu.

Mbappe is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season and is widely expected to agree terms over a long-awaited move to the Santiago Bernabeu, though a deal has not been finalised just yet.

While Kane's pursuit of winning a first trophy of his career this season will come down to the Champions League, he has at least proven a successful signing for Bayern in his own right, tallying 42 goals and 13 assists in 42 matches thus far.

Meanwhile, Madrid remain interested in Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies, whose deal in Germany is up in 2025 and he is not expected to renew terms. However, Lille teenager Leny Yoro has emerged as Madrid's top defensive target this summer.

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