Manchester United are believed to be plotting a long-term solution to their centre-forward problem this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane seemingly among the list of potential targets for the Red Devils.

What's the word?

According to ESPN's Mark Ogden, while United do appear to be closing in on the temporary, short-term signing of Netherlands international, Wout Weghorst, the belief is that such a deal is merely to 'bridge a gap' until the end of the season, before a more permanent striking addition is secured.

The report suggests that should the England captain - who has just 18 months remaining on his existing deal in north London - fail to sign a contract extension with the Lilywhites, the 29-year-old could emerge as an option for Erik ten Hag this summer.

The piece goes on to add that the Old Trafford outfit are 'aware' that they could prove to be the most 'attractive option' for the prolific asset if he is to depart the Lilywhites, with Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool having only recently strengthened in attack with the signings of Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, respectively.

Sheringham 2.0

Turning to Kane - who has been linked with a £90m switch to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in recent months - would certainly represent a wise move as far as Ten Hag is concerned, with the experienced striker providing an almost guaranteed supply of goals with 256 to his name in just 412 appearances for Tottenham to date.

That includes a haul of 198 goals in the top-flight thus far, while the £200k-per-week "genius" - as described by talkSPORT pundit Matt Holland - also offers the benefit of his innate creativity, having been lauded as "one of the best passers of the ball in the world" by Anfield legend, Jamie Carragher.

Although there may be doubts over splashing the cash on a player who is set to turn 30 in July, those at the Theatre of Dreams can well look to the past for encouragement, having previously snapped up Teddy Sheringham from Spurs at a similar stage of the striker's career back in 1997.

The latter man - who was 31 at the time of his £3.5m switch to Manchester - would go on to prove a truly astute piece of business for Sir Alex Ferguson and co, as he scored 46 goals in 153 games for the club over the next four years.

That included the London-born maestro's pivotal, late equaliser in the Champions League triumph at Camp Nou in 1999, while the former Three Lions star also swooped the PFA Player of the Year award for the 2000/01 campaign despite being well into his mid-thirties.

Much like Kane, the now-retired gem provided more than just a goal threat due to his remarkable link-up play, having been praised by ex-teammate Gary Neville in recent years for his "awareness, the ability to take the ball in tight areas, the vision."

The comparison between the pair has also been noted by former Spurs cult hero, Jurgen Klinsmann, with the German icon having stated earlier this year:

“His [Kane’s] decision making is just outstanding. He’s a bit similar to Teddy Sheringham, always making the right decisions at the right time."

Those parallels should well indicate that it could prove a real masterstroke if Ten Hag is to bring Kane to Old Trafford, with the case of Sheringham showcasing that such intelligent assets can well have plenty to offer despite their advancing years.