Spurs hunt for new striker after snubbing chance to keep loan flop

Tottenham Hotspur fans face a nervy summer ahead as they wait to see whether talisman Harry Kane will still be at the club on the opening day of next season. 

The 27-year-old has been widely linked with a move away from North London, with several suggestions that he may have to leave to compete for silverware.

Whilst chairman Daniel Levy remains defiant that he will be able to keep hold of his star man, a number of clubs are reportedly circling and the England captain may be allowed to leave for the right price.

With the focus on the future of Kane, fans will have been forgiven for forgetting about his deputy, Carlos Vinicius.

The youngster was signed on loan from Portuguese side Benfica to provide back up to Kane, however he has failed to establish himself and it appears that his time at the club will be coming to an end in the summer.

Vinicius’ only Premier League goal came against Aston Villa in March.

According to Sky Sports, Spurs will decline the opportunity to make Vinicius’ deal permanent, instead opting to go back into the market for another striker when the window opens this summer.

The player’s loan deal reportedly had a £36 million option to buy, however the Brazilian has scored only one Premier League goal and will be allowed to return to his parent club when his loan deal comes to an end.

Vinicius has scored 10 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, with six of those coming in the Europa League.

The 26-year-old has not featured in a matchday squad since Jose Mourinho was sacked, with Ryan Mason snubbing the forward on all three occasions including the EFL Cup final against Manchester City.

It is not yet known who Spurs will target to replace Vinicius, however they are reportedly keen on keeping Gareth Bale beyond the end of his loan spell from Real Madrid.