Harry Kane’s future is once again under the spotlight, with growing speculation over whether the England captain could one day make a sensational return to Tottenham Hotspur. However, for any such deal to materialize, Kane himself would need to make his wishes crystal clear to Bayern Munich. Unless the striker openly expresses a desire to head back to North London, Bayern are not expected to entertain discussions over his departure.

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany is currently focused only on keeping his star striker firing on all cylinders as he chases silverware in Germany. Kompany has been clear that Kane remains central to his plans and believes the forward’s motivation lies in winning the biggest trophies available. Since joining from Tottenham in the summer of 2023 for £86.4 million, Kane has been a key figure in Munich and has already picked up domestic honors. With his contract running until 2027, Bayern hold a strong position, yet a release clause estimated at £54 million could be activated if Kane formally communicates in January that he wishes to leave at the end of the season.

That clause, coupled with Tottenham’s buy-back option, has sparked renewed debate about a possible homecoming for the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Bayern officials, though, have suggested they will not stand in Kane’s way if he does push for a move, placing his destiny firmly in his own hands. Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, recently shed more light on the situation, making it clear that the Bundesliga champions value Kane not just for his goals but for the leadership and maturity he has brought to their side.

“At Tottenham, everyone recognized him as a world-class goalscorer,” Eberl explained. “But here he has developed even further, taking on responsibility as a leader and making sacrifices for the team. He continues to score, of course, but he is now showing what it means to be a complete player. Above all, he has an incredible hunger to win, and with us, he has the platform to achieve that.” Eberl went on to underline Kane’s right to self-determination: “He’s at an age where he makes his own choices. Whether or not there is a clause, if Harry says he wants a change, then that is his decision. From our perspective, though, our aim is to enjoy success with him this season and for many seasons to come.”

On the other side of the conversation, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was inevitably asked about the possibility of Kane returning to North London in the near future. Frank did not shy away from the subject, praising the forward’s immense quality and hinting that a Spurs comeback would be welcomed with open arms. “Harry is an unbelievable player,” Frank said. “He achieved incredible things at Tottenham and he’s doing the same at Bayern. I think there are a lot of Spurs fans—myself included—who would love to see him back in a Tottenham shirt one day.”

Still, Frank tempered expectations, acknowledging the reality of the current situation. “If I’m being completely honest, I don’t see it happening right now. He looks settled in Munich, he’s scoring goals for fun, and he was the league’s top scorer last season while helping them to the title. This season he’s already hit 13 goals in just seven matches, so he’s clearly thriving. I believe he will stay at Bayern for the time being, continue performing at the highest level, and push for the trophies he craves.”

The speculation surrounding Kane’s next move is unlikely to die down any time soon, particularly with the clause set to become active in the coming months. While Bayern are determined to keep their talisman, Tottenham will be watching closely, ready to pounce should the striker decide he wants to return to the club where he first made his name. For now, Kane’s future remains in his own hands, and whether he opts to stay in Germany or head back to the Premier League could be one of the defining transfer stories of the coming year.