Tottenham Transfer News: Chicharito, Charlie Austin In? Harry Kane To Manchester United?

Tottenham are two days away from kicking off their Premier League campaign, and all recent transfer speculation suggest Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in the midst of a major signing to spruce up the attack. Spurs are fresh off their first victory of the preseason, a one-side 2-0 drubbing of Serie A’s AC Milan in the Audi Cup consolation match highlighted by goals from Nacer Chadli and Tom Carroll.

Yet Pochettino is quite aware his squad doesn’t have the necessary attacking power beside starting striker Harry Kane, and he continues to scour England for a second scoring option.

That could very well be Manchester United striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. According to Daily Star, the 27-year-old scorer wants Old Trafford officials to lower their fee demands to as little as £6 million to facilitate a transfer. Hernandez, who spent last season on loan to Real Madrid, and his representatives were reportedly unnerved by United’s initial price of £12 million and originally believed they were asking for £8 million.

Hernandez totaled 33 appearances and nine goals for Los Blancos last term, a well-balanced performance that on most squads would be rewarded with more pitch time. But Hernandez returns to Old Trafford in his familiar role as a substitute.

Pochettino denied any pursuit of Hernandez last week, but the Mexican’s desire for first-team opportunities is simply something United cannot fulfill and Spurs can.

Tottenham are exploring other options besides Hernandez, including Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin. Daily Mirror reports Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is willing to meet QPR’s £15 million price for the 26-year-old Hungerford native, moving Tottenham well ahead of rivals Newcastle, West Ham, and Leicester.

Following their relegation to Championship League, QPR are trying to offload their most prized stars to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, The Mirror adds, and Austin should earn them the largest bounty after he scored 18 goals in the last campaign.

But most of Tottenham’s Premier League and Champions League hopes ride on Kane. The 22-year-old Englishman now finds himself at the center of Spurs and United’s tussle for his services, according to Express. Prior to the victory over Milan, reports in Spain indicated United had already made a massive bid for Kane and his absence in the Audi Cup match only fueled speculation.

After the departures of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, it's very difficult to see Levy letting another potential superstar leave White Hart Lane. The chances of Kane exiting north London in the near future are extremely slim.