Nuno says he has no doubts about Kane’s commitment to Tottenham

Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo issued a hands off warning to clubs interested in Harry Kane on Friday amid speculation over the England captain’s future.

Kane is reportedly keen to leave his boyhood club this summer in the search for the first silverware of his career.

Despite Kane’s efforts in winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season, Spurs have missed out on Champions League football for the second consecutive season. And England’s heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on penalties means the 27-year-old is still yet to win a major trophy in his career for club or country.

Premier League champions Manchester City have been strongly linked with a move for Kane as they look to replace all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who has moved to Barcelona on a free transfer.

But former Wolves boss Nuno, who was appointed as Jose Mourinho’s successor, is expecting his prized asset to return to Tottenham for pre-season training after a short break following his efforts at the European Championship.

“Harry is our player. That is period. No need to talk about anything else,” said the Portuguese, who was finally appointed on June 30, over two months on from Mourinho’s sacking.

“I have no doubts in my mind. What I wish is for Harry to recover well and have a good rest. When he comes again we will have time to speak and have good conversations.

“I am looking forward to him joining the group and start working together. I am excited to work with all the players, Harry is a top player. Harry is one of the best players in the world, that is all there is to say.”

The England skipper has three years remaining on his Spurs contract but despite his status as one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers, topping the scoring charts with 23 goals in the top flight last term, he has yet to win a major trophy in his career.

Kane is a three-time Golden Boot winner, including last season. His 166 Premier League goals rank Kane seventh all-time, nine goals behind Arsenal great Thierry Henry.

Nuno is working under new director of football Fabio Paratici and performance director Steve Hitchen, but an expected summer overhaul of the Spurs squad is off to a slow start with no new signings made.

“We have been talking, we are aware that there is a lot of work to be done,” added Nuno.

“It is not easy, we have to find the right players that can join us.

“Steve and Fabio, they do their job, look at the market, I do my job on the training ground and then we share ideas. To improve our squad is not easy.”

Nuno’s first competitive game in charge is just over four weeks away when City open their Premier League defence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Aug.15.

Tottenham underwent a painstaking process to appoint a new manager in place of Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in April.

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso were linked with the job this summer.

Eventually they opted for Nuno, who left Wolves at the end of last season.

The Portuguese enjoyed a successful spell in Wolverhampton, winning the 2017-18 Championship title in his first season before twice leading them to seventh in the Premier League and finishing 13th last term.

“I am here. It is where I want to be. I am so happy,” he said.

“We want to make our fans proud. We want them to enjoy our team and our players. We want a good atmosphere and I think they will enjoy. Football has to reflect in the mirror what we want to do. I am sure the fans will enjoy it.

“Each group of players has their own characteristics. I am very proud of the work I did for Wolves. But you have to move forward.”

Agencies