Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of keeping Harry Kane at the club beyond the current campaign could hinge on securing Champions League football, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Kane’s future has been up in the air ever since he attempted to force a move to Manchester City last summer, with doubts remaining over his long-term commitment to the club.

What is the latest news involving Kane?

According to The Telegraph, City saw a £125 million bid rejected by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy last summer, with Pep Guardiola confirming they had up to four bids turned down.

The Daily Mail stated that the north London outfit were demanding £150m for Kane, though, a figure the current league leaders were unwilling to match.

As a result, the England international stayed put at his boyhood club, and following a difficult start to the season under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, has begun to thrive under his successor Antonio Conte.

Despite registering just one goal and one assist in his opening 14 Premier League fixtures of 2021/22, Kane has now racked up 31 goal contributions in 45 appearances across all competitions.

Yet he is still to provide an indication over whether he is now settled in north London once again or intends to seek a new challenge ahead of next season.

What has O’Rourke said about Kane?

Spurs are currently trailing Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish, but O’Rourke believes qualification for Europe’s elite cup competition will go ‘a long way’ in convincing Kane to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Getting Champions League football is key. I think if you can get Champions League football, Harry Kane playing at the highest level, it's going to give you a better chance to keep him at the club and maybe persuade him to sign a new contract as well. Spurs would love that to happen.

“He loves Spurs. He's got some records in his sights as well, so I think if Spurs can get that top four and Conte can maybe improve that squad in the summer to turn them into possible title contenders, I'm sure that will then go a long way to maybe persuading Harry Kane to stay at the club.”

Can Tottenham finish in the top four?

Tottenham are sitting in fifth position in the top-flight table at present, two points behind local rivals Arsenal.

Nevertheless, with a north London derby still to come, there is all to play for in the race to secure the final Champions League qualification spot.

Whether a top-four finish will be enough to persuade Kane, who is valued at £90m by Transfermarkt, to remain at Tottenham remains to be seen, though.