Daniel Levy is reportedly demanding a world record fee to part ways with Harry Kane this summer.
The Tottenham chief is trying desperately to keep his star striker, who signalled his intentions to seek a new challenge after another trophy-less season in North London.
Manchester City are the frontrunners for his signature, while Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in landing the 27-year-old.
Financing a deal for Kane in the current climate could be another matter, however, particularly as he still has another three years left to run on his Spurs contract.
Now Levy is - as expected - looking to play hardball, and has slapped a £200million asking price on his most prized asset.
It was initially thought Kane could be acquired between £100-150m, but Levy is aware losing the club's talisman would have far reaching consequences in terms of next season.
Levy knows none of the Premier League trio chasing Kane will stretch to £200m, but as reports the Independent, the Spurs chairman feels this is a fair representation of his value to the club.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has already made his thoughts clear on the financial restraints of operating amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking in April, he said: "Listen, with these prices, we are not going to buy any striker.
"It’s impossible. We will not afford it. That is not going to happen. All the clubs struggle financially. We are not an exception."
Chelsea could be more willing to spend frivolously, given their £200m+ outlay last summer, but it is thought Kane would rather not move across London to join Tottenham's close rivals.
That leaves Man Utd as a possible option, but buying Kane would go against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's previous statement that the club would be "responsible" in the transfer market this summer - although he has since claimed he wants two or three new signings, suggesting significant spending is imminent.
In any event, Levy simply does not want to sell to another English club - particularly one Tottenham are in driect competition with.
Selling to Man City would be the preferred option if he had to, given they are streets ahead of Spurs currently, while Levy sees Chelsea and Man Utd as rivals to qualify for the top four.
Handing either of them Kane would only strengthen their position and weaken that of his own club, hence his huge demands for compensation.
