Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 6y

Tottenham's Harry Kane too expensive for Juventus at £250m - Marotta

Juventus' general manager Beppe Marotta says they cannot afford Harry Kane, amid reports in Spain that the Bianconeri were set to bid €250 million.

Don Balon claimed that Juventus had tabled a world record bid for Kane, who scored as Tottenham Hotspur fought back to draw their round-of-16 tie with Juve 2-2 on Tuesday night, but Marotta dismissed it as fantasy.

"There's not one Italian club who, as things stand today, could afford to buy Harry Kane," Marotta told Italy's Mediaset television. "He's a phenomenal player, but Italian clubs cannot compete with foreign rivals at such figures."

Juve spent a club record €90m to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli 18 months ago, while AC Milan committed around €230m to bring in 11 new players in the summer, but spending €250m on a single player appears to be beyond the budgets of Italian clubs.

Meanwhile, Marotta says there is no update on the future of Gianluigi Buffon, who is considering his future with his contract expiring in the summer.

"The most important thing is that we've got him back with us in this crucial part of the season," Marotta said. "Buffon gives us added value and it's only right that close consideration is given to his future.

"First of all, he has to do this. We've got an honest relationship with Buffon, based on transparency and esteem and it's right that he decides his future."

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