Tottenham Hotspur have been doing their best to keep hold of their star player, Harry Kane, which has been an uphill battle for the club over the last 12 months, and now another link away for the Spurs goal machine has been reported.

What's the story?

According to reports coming from El Nacional, Kane has been offered to Real Madrid, as Tottenham would prefer to sell the player to a foreign club, despite Pep Guardiola reportedly still interested in the striker.

The claim states: "He is desperate to leave, seeing that the results they are achieving are still very erratic."

Kane has struggled to establish his usual form at Tottenham, only scoring one goal and offering up one assist to his teammates in the league this season, which is a far cry from last season where the 28-year-old won the golden boot and playmaker award, becoming only the third Premier League player to finish the season with the most goals and most assists.

Antonio Conte has since joined as Spurs manager, after rejecting the job initially in the summer, and it was thought that the appointment of the popular Italian could tempt Kane from making a move in January.

However, in a big twist to the tale, he's now reportedly being offered elsewhere by the club.

El Nacional have reported that Guardiola wants to 'throw himself at Kane' in the winter transfer market, as Manchester City continue the season without a striker, and want to resolve that issue by bringing in Kane at any cost.

It is suggested that a move to the Santiago Bernabeau is more intriguing to the forward as he continues to desire a move to a club playing Champions League football, despite Carlos Ancelotti allegedly not interested in signing the Englishman.

Conte will be furious

Conte recognises Kane as an "important player", and it was speculated that the manager turned down the job originally in the summer due to the uncertainty surrounding the striker's future at the club, so clearly further talk of a move away will not be welcomed by the Italian manager.

Losing the goal threat of the England striker to another club, especially a Premier League side, would certainly hinder the progress and vision Conte has for the team moving forward, so it could be a really frustrating transfer window for the Lilywhites if they finally let him go.

The centre forward has scored 229 goals in 356 appearances for Tottenham, only 37 shy of the club record held by the late Jimmy Greaves, and has been integral to the side's progress over the last eight years.

The club's manager will have to do whatever he can in the January transfer window to ensure he can keep hold of his star man at least until the end of the season, in an effort to prove to the £108m-rated gem that Tottenham can win trophies under his reign, which could tempt Kane to stay long term.

For now, however, he should be seething that within just a matter of months of joining Spurs, his most important asset could depart.

In other news: Antonio Conte must unleash Ryan Sessegnon after fresh Spurs injury setback