Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s hardball stance over the future of wantaway striker Harry Kane has been influenced by Arsenal‘s decision to spend £50million on the signing of defender Ben White, according to reports. Kane is desperate to leave Spurs this summer in search of a new challenge, with Premier League champions Manchester City keen on bringing him to the Etihad Stadium.

The 27-year-old is currently isolating at Tottenham’s training ground after making his planned return to the club on Saturday.

Kane’s absence during the week sparked reports that he was refusing to attend in order to force through a move to City, but these claims have been strenuously denied by the man himself.

The England skipper is now training on his own ahead of the new campaign and is still believed to be keen on leaving the club.

In spite of his willingness to move on, Levy is reportedly determined to keep hold of Kane into the new campaign and beyond, with the Walthamstow native remaining under contract until the summer of 2024.

City have already seen a bid in the region of £100m rejected by Spurs, and it seems as though any further offers will need to be substantially larger in order to stand any chance of success.

JUST IN: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp teases transfers before window shuts

Levy will only entertain the possibility of selling Kane if a minimum fee of £160m is tabled, according to The Sun.

The report claims that Levy was initially expecting transfer figures to deflate this summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on elite sport worldwide.

However, Arsenal splashing £50m on White is said to have convinced the 59-year-old that Kane is worth triple the amount received by Brighton and Hove Albion for the defender.

The Spurs chief is understood to have told colleagues that if the Gunners are willing to spend big on a player with just two international caps for England, there is no way that one of the world’s most feared strikers would be sold for as ‘little’ as £100m.

DON’T MISS

It is also said that nothing has convinced Levy to even consider lowering his demands, suggesting that Kane could ultimately be denied a move altogether.

It seems unlikely that City would be prepared to shell out £160m for the striker despite Pep Guardiola’s interest in securing his services.

Last year’s Champions League finalists have already completed the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa after meeting his release clause to the tune of a club-record £100m.

Guardiola admitted earlier this month that he would like to see Kane join City ahead of this month’s transfer deadline, but insisted that a move will be impossible to engineer if Levy refuses to budge.

Do you want an exclusive pre-season preview for YOUR club – both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.

“He’s a player for Tottenham Hotspur, if Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished,” the Spaniard told reporters.

“If they are open to negotiate, I think not just Man City but many clubs in the world want to try to sign him, we are not an exception, but it depends on Tottenham.

“It’s different from Jack. Jack had a release clause and he is different. Harry Kane is an exceptional, extraordinary striker, no doubts about that. Of course we are interested.

“But he is a Tottenham player and, if they don’t want to negotiate, there is nothing more to say. If they want to, we will try.”