Shearer remains top of the charts when it comes to the all-time Premier League list, with the target being found on 260 occasions across his distinguished career. Kane did, however, climb into second spot before bidding farewell to north London in 2023. There are 47 efforts separating two of the deadliest forwards to ever grace the English top-flight.
Kane would require at least a couple of seasons in which to close that gap if professional steps were to be retraced to the Premier League. It has been suggested that there are clauses in his contract that can be triggered in the summer of 2026. He could be open to a move by then, having broken his trophy duck with Bayern when becoming a Bundesliga title winner in 2024-25.
Shearer has jokingly urged Kane to remain in Germany for a few more years, amid talk of La Liga giants Barcelona also expressing interest in his services, with one iconic England captain hoping that another does not prioritise individual achievements.
Shearer told Betfair of potentially being chased down by Kane: “It doesn’t affect me at all about the record. It’s a bit of fun I guess but knowing Harry, I know he’ll want my record, but I don’t know what his situation is and whether he’ll stay in Germany or not but yeah, keep him over there for another two or three years!”
Kane has plundered 103 goals for Bayern through 106 appearances. He is Spurs’ all-time leading marksman, with 280 efforts there, and has taken his historic tally for England to 74 across 109 caps. He is skipper of his country and a man that the Three Lions will be looking to for inspiration at the 2026 World Cup.
Shearer added on that bid for global glory: “Harry Kane is crucial to England because we’re strong in all positions but are quite light at centre-forward. We’ve got [Ollie] Watkins as well, but he hasn’t started the season great. Harry is crucial, there’s no doubt.
“He may not be running around as much as he did five or six years ago and you may have to compensate for that, but you know that, if you’re going to play him, you need runners that are going to go past him. He’s one of the best, if not the best goalscorer in the world. His record in Germany and for England is phenomenal. Without doubt, he’s key to England.”
Another former England star, Chris Waddle, is also hoping that Kane can reach next summer’s World Cup in peak form and physical condition. The 32-year-old is nursing an ankle problem at present.
Waddle told BestBettingSites when asked if Kane can lead a bid for the most prestigious of international honours: “I hope so. He’s a great player, and sometimes he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for how magnificent he has been. People might think his numbers are just because he’s with Bayern, but he scored much the same for Spurs. They were a good side, but not the greatest. Harry’s been great for Bayern, just brilliant. I can see why Tottenham want to bring him back in the summer. If he was coming back, I’d take him.
“I think he might have got a knock recently, and I know that he always wants to play and score, but we shouldn’t risk him against Wales. I think everything has to be focused on the World Cup and the big games in the season ahead. I know he’ll want to play because he’s chasing records, but for now we can let him sit it out.
“I think at the turn of the year, that’s when Kane can start being the focal point for England again, but we have to be careful with him. England have to be so cautious with him. They have to keep him fit.”
England are set to face neighbours Wales in a friendly date at Wembley on Thursday. They will be without Kane for that contest, due to injury, with a decision then needing to be made by Thomas Tuchel on whether his talismanic No.9 sees any game time in a World Cup qualifying clash with Latvia next Tuesday.
