Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has said that he thinks that former Tottenham striker Harry Kane will join the Gunners in the summer. 

Arsenal failed to sign a striker in the January transfer window, despite the fact that they saw a bid for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins rejected.

They also missed out on Bayern attacker Mathys Tel, who joined rivals Spurs on a loan deal on transfer deadline day.

However, Merson believes that they will sign Tel’s Bayern teammate Harry Kane in a shock summer transfer after it was revealed that the England captain will have a £64m release clause in his contract next year.

He said on Sky Sports News: “He’ll be going to Arsenal then, Arsenal will buy him. £64m why not? Sol Campbell did. If he’s available, you’ve got to weigh it up.

“People will go ‘he’s this age, that age’ but, Arsenal need now. But if Arsenal want to win the league, you’ve got to take a chance, buy someone that’s proven.

Merson said that Arsenal would be one of just a few teams that could sign Kane for that price. He also suggested a return to Spurs, but under one very strict condition.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. When you’re Harry Kane there and you can go for £64m, there’s only a couple teams that can buy him. Maybe Tottenham but, he’ll have to win something at Bayern to go back to Tottenham because if he doesn’t win anything at Bayern Munich, you’re not going to go back to Tottenham to win something.”

Could Harry Kane return to the Premier League?

There is a genuine chance that the England captain could make a return to the Premier League, as Alan Shearer’s goals record remains a possibility for Kane.

Shearer scored 260 goals during his time in the Premier League, and Kane managed to net 213 before leaving to join Bayern Munich for £79m in August 2023. So he would only need 47 goals to catch up.

Kane has scored 19 goals in 18 Bundesliga games for Bayern this season, so if his scoring form continues, he could surpass Shearer’s record.

Arsenal more likely to target alternative Bundesliga striker

It would be a shock move if Kane did come to the Emirates. A more likely Arsenal summer signing would be the addition of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

The 21-year-old has been heavily linked over a move to Arsenal, and would cost around £70 if the Gunners wanted to add him in summer.

So far this season, Sesko has netted eight goals in 19 Bundesliga games for Leipzig. Not on Kane’s level, but a much more realistic signing.