‘The wrong move’ - Michael Owen doubles down on Harry Kane to Bayern Munich transfer ‘regret’ claim

Ex-Liverpool, Manchester United and Three Lions striker Owen previously stated that fellow frontman Kane was “nuts” to have severed ties with Tottenham in 2023, with his wife and children being relocated for a new challenge in Germany.

Kane is just 47 goals short of Alan Shearer’s all-time record in the Premier League and would probably have rewritten the history books had he remained in north London. Owen maintains that the 32-year-old should have placed greater emphasis on that target, rather than chasing trophies at the Allianz Arena.

Owen, via BetSelect, told talkSPORT: “I've been quite vocal on Harry Kane’s move to Germany. I thought it was the wrong move. But hey, somebody can look at my career and say you shouldn't have done this, and shouldn't have done that. And I absolutely respect the different stages of your career, you got different opportunities or conundrums to solve. So total respect.”

He added: "What an incredible player. He's one of the best finishers we've ever seen. He's done a great service to England and to his clubs. I couldn't speak highly enough of him. I personally wish he hadn't gone abroad. I personally wish he had stayed in the Premier League.

“I think he made a couple of decisions that, in hindsight, he would change if he were honest when he retires. If he had stayed in the Premier League, he'd be close to that record already. Whether he's got time on his side now is a different matter. That remains to be seen. But he's just a phenomenal player, and he's done great things for English football. I’m a huge fan.”

Kane, who broke his silverware duck when becoming a Bundesliga title winner in 2024-25, is adamant that he made the right choice in swapping Spurs for Bayern. He said of Owen’s comments: “I heard it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I've spent a bit of time with him but don't know him well. Obviously, he is a Premier League great and an England great as well, so I'll respect him as a person. But ultimately, as he will know, everyone's career is different -- everyone's decisions and motivations are different.

“I know he was insinuating I went just for the trophy. But it was to be at the highest level for as long as possible. And I'm really happy in that sense of playing big games, title runs, big Champions League matches, Club World Cup quarter-final. I feel I'm improving as a player, I'm pushing my limits as a player in terms of goalscoring and just improving. It's hard not to hear things these days, but the decisions are best for me. And I'm really happy that I made that decision and very happy at Bayern Munich now.”

Kane has since added a Super Cup crown to his trophy collection, while remarkable individual standards have been maintained with Bayern. Through 100 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, he has found the target on 91 occasions.