LONDON -- After a week that saw Manchester City break the Premier League transfer record and make Jack Grealish England the first 100 million player, Leicester City's 1-0 Community Shield win over Wembley proved they may need to spend more on Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur's striker, to give Pep Guardiola's side a chance of keeping their title.Guardiola might have noticed the irony of Leicester's winning goal by KelechiIheanacho, the Nigerian striker whom the City manager decided was surplus to requirements in 2017. He couldn't see him competing with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus for a spot in the Etihad's first team. City included a 50m buyback clause in the 25m deal to take Iheanacho from the King Power Stadium. With Aguero, the record goal scorer, allowed to leave for Barcelona, and Jesus showing himself to be little more that a backup option, Guardiola may have just what he needs in his squad.Brendan Rodgers, Leicester's manager, needed to change things up in the second period. He turned to Iheanacho, who he knew could make a difference. Iheanacho won (Nathan Ake, City defender, fouled him) and then scored the 89th minute penalty that ended this curtain-raiser.- Watch ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. Only)- Do you not have ESPN? Get instant accessGuardiola did not have such an option on the champions bench. Guardiola had no such option on the champions' bench after Aguero's departure. Jesus took an extended break during Copa America duty with Brazil, leaving the City manager without his two senior strikers. However, the locker was completely empty and he acknowledged after the game that it is not certain that he can address the problem in transfer market."No. Guardiola stated that it depends on whether it is possible. "If it's possible, we do it. If not, we go without a striker."Although City has many players still on vacation after summer international tournaments they are not centre-forwards. Guardiola made it clear that he will need to fill a large gap in his attacking options for the season by starting with Ferran Torres, Sam Edozie and Cole Palmer as his front three.On Friday, Kane's City boss confirmed his interest but also said that no deal could be made if Spurs refused to negotiate. ESPN has learned that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy won't even consider the offer if City don't pay 160 million for England captain Kane. Guardiola is left with a problem as Khaldoon Al Mubarak, his chairman, believes Kane's true worth is between 100m to 120m.Whatever your perspective, Kane's value to City and Tottenham are huge. However, this game showed City just how much Kane is needed and why Spurs have every reason to wait for Kane's valuation.City won the Carabao Cup and Premier League last season. Guardiola also made the Champions League final by choosing to play without a recognized striker. Guardiola made a decision to leave Aguero and Jesus out of the Champions League final loss to Chelsea. He used Kevin De Bruyne as a false nine, with Riyad Maharez and Raheem sterling wide.Jack Grealish made Manchester City his debut but couldn't score a goal for the Premier League champions. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty ImagesCity would be reckless to not add a top-notch centre-forward to their squad this season. That is why Tottenham may need to pay for Kane's enormous valuation. Guardiola can't rely on Jesus or Torres to carry the goal-scoring load this season. Palmer and Edozie, however, are basically children whose appearances will likely be limited to the first rounds of domestic cup competitions.Grealish made his City debut in the 65th minute as Edozie's substitute. His goals will create many chances for his team and add to their goals, but his abilities will be wasted without a goal scorer.STREAM ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ Dan Thomas is joined with Craig Burley, Shaka Herlop and other experts to bring you the most recent highlights and discuss the major storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S only).Kane is the No.1 target in City. Kane is City's No. 1 target. Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is being considered as a possible option. However, Guardiola is focused on landing Kane. This defeat against Leicester will allow Guardiola to present a stronger case to Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano, and for his acquisition.Guardiola will inform his bosses that City goalkeeper Zack Steffen had more shots to save than his Leicester counterpart Kasper Schmiechel, and that the champions were worryingly toothless from an attacking perspective. Guardiola may also mention that Manchester United signed Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, and that Chelsea is on the verge of signing Romelu Lukaku (Internazionale).City's rivals are growing stronger and the gap between them will continue to shrink unless Guardiola finds a striker before August 31 transfer deadline.They want Kane, and Kane wants to come to City. There is enough momentum to make a deal. Spurs chairman Levy would be the most happy man to watch this game, as he will have seen how much City needs Kane. To get Kane, they will need to come closer to his value.
