McManaman: Real Madrid need player like Mbappe, not €200m Kane

Real Madrid should be looking for an exciting youngster such as Kylian Mbappe rather than spending €200 million on Harry Kane, says Steve McManaman.

The reigning La Liga champions continue to be heavily linked with the prolific Tottenham striker, who has been billed as a natural successor to Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital.

Kane’s form for Spurs and England has put him in the shop window, with a regular source of goals seeing him placed in a talent bracket alongside the world’s best.

Kane 16/5 to score first v Real Madrid

McManaman, though, feels that Real would be better advised signing a player with potential to unlock rather than paying over the odds for a proven performer.

The former Real midfielder told Marca ahead of a European clash between Spurs and the Blancos at Wembley:  "I would prefer [to sign] a young boy like Kylian Mbappe.

"It's very difficult to sign Kane. The price of footballers today is crazy.

Playing Surface/Getty

"It is better to promote from within.

"You need to pay €200 million for Kane and I do not understand those figures."

While McManaman feels a big-money move for Kane makes little financial sense, he does believe that the 24-year-old would find it easy to settle in Spain.

Few English players take the opportunity to leave the comforts of their homeland, but McManaman did during his playing days and was rewarded with over 150 appearances for Real as he collected two La Liga titles and a pair of Champions League crowns.

He added: "In England the clubs are very professional and it is a great place to be.

"Kane can stay in London because he is happy with his family.

"But if he moved to Real Madrid, surely he wouldn’t have problems adapting.

"Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and other players speak English and can help him. Madrid is also a beautiful city."