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Kane's scoring streak grows but Bayern contract still open

ยทBy Paul Lindisfarne
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Kane's scoring streak grows but Bayern contract still open

Bayern Munich

Harry Kane scored his eighth consecutive Champions League goal for Bayern Munich this week, but talks over his contract extension remain unresolved for now.

The England captain headed home Michael Olise's free-kick in the 61st minute of Bayern's 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, extending his run to eight consecutive Champions League appearances with a goal.

It puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Ruud van Nistelrooy as the only players in the competition's history to reach that mark, with Ronaldo's record of 11 straight scoring appearances now within sight.

The 33-year-old had gone two Bundesliga games without scoring at the start of the season, but that goal took his tally to 55 in the Champions League and 149 in all competitions for the club.

Talks over a new contract, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, remain ongoing but unresolved.

"Not much has changed in the last few days. We are in discussions," chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said after the win over the Norwegian side.

Dreesen made clear the club's regard for Kane is unwavering.

"He showed once again today that he is one of the top strikers in Europe. And that we have every right to be talking to each other," he added.

Kane struck a similar tone of patience.

"There were talks this week. And as I said, a contract isn't formed overnight. Things like that take time. We're looking at how we can create the best possible outcome for everyone involved. And that's the point we're at," he said.

He said he did not expect a resolution "in the next week or two, but hopefully in the coming month or two we'll be where we want to be."

The length of any new deal appears to be the main sticking point. At 33, Kane does not consider himself near the end of his career and has previously spoken openly about wanting to play at the 2030 World Cup, while Bayern Munich must also weigh the possibility of a decline in his performance levels as he enters his mid-30s. Kane, a father of four, has also said he can imagine a future move away from Europe at some stage, with Major League Soccer, and Florida in particular, understood to appeal to him.

Both sides will need to find a solution that reflects that mutual respect.