Harry Kane risks legal hearing if he attempts to buyout Tottenham Hotspur contract

Speaking to PA News Agency (h/t Independent), Vanessa James, an employment lawyer at Ashfords, revealed the legal dispute that can arise if Harry Kane attempts to buy out his Tottenham Hotspur contract.

The Spurs man wants to leave this summer amid links to Manchester City. He made his intentions clear after failing to report for pre-season training ahead of the new season. (h/t Independent)

The Lilywhites are believed to want at least £150million to even consider selling him. But the Citizens, who have been heavily linked with Kane, do not seem like bidding anytime soon after splashing £100million on Jack Grealish.

In such an instance, the report mentions that Kane has few options left – one of them being buying out his Spurs contract in accordance with the ‘Webster ruling’ in Article 17 of FIFA’s transfer laws. But that, according to James, could arise in a legal dispute.

Kane saga goes on

“It is something that would end up in legal dispute and they would want to avoid that. In spite of having the Webster ruling and Article 17, given it is halfway through, it is a significant cost to Kane in triggering that and if they can’t negotiate the exit figure then it would result in litigation…”

James adds that the 28-year-old buying out his contract would not be easy. Even if the three years on his current deal is tangibly valued in currency, the club would claim he brings in even more money through sponsorships etc.

Independent mentions that Kane believes he has had a gentleman’s agreement to leave Spurs this summer, even though the club denies it. But Vanessa James highlights that such an agreement is not enforceable.

“A gentleman’s agreement is not an enforceable contract or contract term. In law it means nothing. But it does mean there has been a breach of trust between the two parties. It is only relevant in that it indicates a potential breach of trust between the parties and that is what has caused him to go down this route.”

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• Arsenal enter the race for Tottenham target Takehiro Tomiyasu

• Transfer News: Tottenham submit first bid for Mikkel Damsgaard

• Nuno Espirito Santo provides the latest injury update on Tottenham skipper Hugo Lloris

Fans would hope that the club and the player do not have to go down the ugly road of a legal battle. But losing their star striker so close to the new season can dampen all optimism at the club.