Aston Villa swooped for Southampton striker Danny Ings last summer as Tottenham dithered.
The Sunday Times says only five members of Villa's staff knew the deal was happening, but executives at Tottenham had known for some time.
Ings was identified as a potential partner for England's captain in a system Nuno aimed to introduce that would see Kane, the Premier League's leader for goals and assists the previous season, dropping deep as the creative force in the team.
When the moment came, Tottenham chose not to act. Villa had made their interest in Ings clear a week earlier and (Christian) Purslow moved fast, determined to wrap up the deal in the final 24 hours before (Jack) Grealish's sale was confirmed.
He wanted the fan base and squad to be boosted by the news at a moment many had been dreading.
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