Roy Keane believes Harry Kane "must be getting frustrated" and claims the striker will have to weigh up his future if Tottenham miss out on Champions League qualification.
Kane is enjoying another fruitful season for Spurs and has netted 24 goals in 38 games, while also contributing an eye-catching 15 assists.
But the Englishman's excellent form has not resulted in on-pitch success. Spurs sit seventh in the Premier League with their only hopes of silverware this season resting on the Carabao Cup final later this month.
This has reportedly left Kane considering leaving his boyhood club - and Keane can fully understand why the 27-year-old may need to be "selfish".
"We obviously can't believe everything we hear, reading in the media, if he's actually said that," Keane told Sky Sports of Kane's recent Tottenham exit links.
"But it's only natural for us to speculate about Kane if they don't get the Champions League.
"Obviously he must be getting frustrated, obviously he's a huge player for Spurs, obviously he's a brilliant professional and a fantastic player.
Should Kane leave Spurs if they fail to finish in the top four? Have your say in the comments.
"If they don't get in the Champions League - and they're not competing at the top level of the [Premier] League - then it's only natural that Harry Kane, from a selfish point of view, would have to look at his options.
"And he'll have some great options because he's a world-class striker and there are not many of them out there."
Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid have been touted as potential destinations for Kane, but Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is unfazed by recent speculation.
"He has a [Carabao Cup] final to play, he has a Premier League to fight for every point," said the Portuguese.
"Then he has a Euros with the possibility to play a final at Wembley. I think he has to be happy with the moment he was living."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
