Paul Merson has ruled Chelsea out of the race to sign Harry Kane (Pictures: Getty)

Chelsea have been urged to enter the race to sign Harry Kane this summer but Paul Merson has told the Blues they have no chance of bringing the Tottenham striker to Stamford Bridge.

Kane has been at Spurs for more than a decade and earlier this week equalled Jimmy Greaves’ record as Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer with his 266th goal for the club.

The 29-year-old will enter the final year of his contract come the end of the season, sparking fresh speculation over his long-term future in north London.

Recent reports claim Manchester United intend to revive their interest in Kane this summer, with Erik ten Hag reportedly keen to bring the England captain to Old Trafford.

United are in the market for a new striker having released Cristiano Ronaldo in November. They signed Wout Weghorst earlier in the month but the Netherlands international is viewed as a short-term solution.

Chelsea may also be looking for a new No. 9 at the end of the season following Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s struggles at Stamford Bridge.

Ex-Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged his former club to make a shock move for Kane, who he believes could be signed for around £60m due to his contract situation.

Manchester United are interested in signing the Tottenham striker (Picture: Getty)

‘The only person you could go and get who is that type of player who will strengthen Chelsea in that position is Harry Kane,’ Hasselbaink said in an interview with Safe Betting Sites.

‘If I was in charge I would go after him. I know he might not make the move because of the rivalry with Spurs but I would at least try.

‘I know he’s 29 but at the end of the season he will only have one year left on his contract. He won’t cost £100m this summer, he will cost more like £60m which is much better value.’

But former Arsenal winger Merson has essentially ruled Chelsea out of the race for Kane, insisting Tottenham fans would go ‘mad’ if their star striker joined a London rival.

‘Harry Kane to Chelsea? That can’t happen,’ Merson told Sky Sports. ‘If he comes to Chelsea, he loses his legacy at Tottenham. Tottenham fans would go mad.

‘For him to go over to Chelsea, it would be the next notch down from going to Arsenal. Chelsea and Tottenham don’t get on.’

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