Tottenham were expecting Harry Kane to arrive at the training ground for pre-season on Monday, but his absence sent shockwaves throughout a club who are still reluctant to sell their captain and talisman this summer. Despite Kane reportedly believing that he had a gentleman’s agreement with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, few saw this move coming from the striker.

Reaction from fans has been furious, feeling betrayed that their long-standing captain and youth product would turn his back on his club in such a disrespectful way.

The way of forcing the move may not be the most harmonious, but to say that Kane owes Tottenham more is misguided.

The truth is that Kane owes nothing to Spurs.

Having stayed loyal to the club, he has notched over 20 goals a season for seven seasons in a row, establishing himself as one of Europe’s elite. That’s in spite of the fact that Tottenham have not won a single trophy during that stint, failing to mount a serious title challenge, and they have only played in the Champions League for half of that time.

Some point to Kane’s upbringing at the club, having joined at the age of 11, but that argument doesn’t hold much water either.

Spurs did not give him a regular shot at the first team until he was already 21, having scored goals for Leyton Orient, Millwall and Leicester among a raft of loan spells as various coaches refused to rely on his youthful talent.

Kane has led this Tottenham side as far as he can, taking them to a Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid, when the club has matched his ambition.

Now, though, that ambition from the club has faded. Kane has seen key players like Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld depart in the past few seasons without being replaced, while high-profile additions, like Tanguy Ndombele, fail to match the talents of Tottenham’s rivals.

Now at the age of 28 and with his injury prone ankles struggling more than ever, Kane knows that time is running out.

If he is to win titles and establish himself as a great, he has to take the chance to move now.

The appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo, who left mid-table Wolves, and the fact that the only summer additions to date are unproven gem Bryan Gil and loanee Pierluigi Gollini fail to show a desire for trophies in the short term.

Kane committed himself to a six-year contract in 2018, with the club growing under Mauricio Pochettino and less than a year away from a Champions League final.

This summer, he is looking to force a move as their backward progression continues and they face a qualifying round for the Conference League.

Kane may owe Tottenham the time he has committed to on paper, but he has already given Spurs all that he owes them and more, with his loyal service throughout the best years of his career.