Thomas Tuchel admits it is ‘no secret’ Bayern Munich are after a new No 9 this summer after twice having bids turned down for Tottenham’s Harry Kane

Thomas Tuchel admitted his side are looking for a new No 9 this summer, with the German giants heavily linked with a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane. 

The Tottenham and England star‘s future has been one of the stories of the transfer window so far, with Bayern having had a number of approaches turned down by Daniel Levy and Spurs. 

Kane’s contract is up at the end of the season, and will therefore be allowed to leave for free, although Levy seems content to allow his star to depart for nothing, the perks of keeping him for an extra season seemingly more important than a cash injection. 

Tuchel’s Bayern Munich side squandered a number of chances in the first half in particular against Manchester City on Wednesday in a 2-1 friendly in Tokyo. 

As a result, many of the questions he fielded in a post-match press conference pertained to the lack of clinical touch from his attackers, having carved out  a number of opportunities.  

The Bavarians have been linked consistently with Harry Kane throughout the summer window

Leroy Sane was impressive in attack against Man City but failed to get on the scoresheet

‘It’s no secret that we are looking for a new No 9, and we can’t expects any new insights from a game if it’s always been played with the same team as you say. 

‘But of course, that is the difficult thing. Up front, we had a couple of chances out wide with speed in the attack, and we could have had more chances. 

‘Of course, they realise they could have finished better. That was the story of the first half in any case.’

With Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane in a frightful front three, Tuchel’s side threatened throughout the opening 45 minutes before each were taken off at the break. 

The pace possessed by the trio caused constant problems for the City defence, but they were unable to find a way through Ederson in goal, and on a number of occasions they seemed to be crying out for a ruthless No 9.

The goal did eventually come through French youngster Mathys Tel late in the game, but only in the form of a point blank tap-in after a good save from Ederson. 

The 18-year-old joined from Rennes last summer, and has gone on to make 28 appearances for the senior side, but is not yet ready for the step-up to the first-team in a starring role through the middle. 

City for their part were also reliant on a youngster for their opener, with James McAtee applying the finishing touches in the first half, before Aymeric Laporte scored the winner in the 86th minute.  

Tuchel’s side had 10 shots in the game but only four on target as well as Sane hitting the bar

James McAtee put Manchester City ahead inside 22 minutes with a close-range finish

Mathys Tel (centre) profited after some good work from Frans Kratzig (left) to equalise

Aymeric Laporte converted in the 86th minute to put City back in front following Tel’s strike