After a milestone moment with Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Heung-min Son is faced with one of the biggest decisions of his footballing career this summer – and it could involve huge sums of money for all involved.
The reports have been coming thick and fast on Heung-min Son’s Tottenham future so far this summer, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Despite lifting the Europa League trophy with Spurs just one month ago, ending a 17-year trophy drought, the South Korean superstar now has just one year left on his contract.
Reports have claimed that Thomas Frank has already told Tottenham his thoughts on Son’s future. In short, the winger is welcome to stay, but he will have to accept a bit-part role next season in what is set to be an intense rebuild.
Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah are all interested in signing Heung-min Son this summer, while former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has also been linked with a move for the Tottenham captain.
Any Heung-min Son exit will have to be a late one at Tottenham
Tottenham fans may still be having nightmares about the likes of Harry Kane and Gareth Bale leaving so late in their respective summer transfer windows. However, that may be the case once more if Son departs this year.
It has been revealed that Heung-min Son is commercially contracted to appear against Newcastle United during Tottenham’s tour of South Korea in pre-season. That match does not take place until the beginning of August, meaning Spurs will have to hold onto their captain until then, at least.
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Ben Jacobs exclusively informed Spurs Web that there are likely ways to get out of such contractual commitments, but both Tottenham and Son are expected to respect the agreement.
He said: “Yes, he’s obligated to play. Obviously, if sold there is likely an out. But we expect Spurs and Son to respect the agreement. There will be clauses of exemption, like injury or transfer, but it doesn’t sound like either party will not honour it. Likely cause, if they break it, they owe money back.”
Spurs Web also learned that Heung-min Son will have a meeting with new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank in order to get a sense of his plans.
Saudi clubs are willing to pay Spurs £34m plus add-ons to land their star man, while there is also interest from Turkey and the MLS. Son himself could rake in over £25m per season if he makes a move to Saudi Arabia.
Son will have a meeting with Thomas Frank at Spurs
Ben Jacobs exclusively told Spurs Web: “There is a chance Heung-min Son leaves Tottenham this summer, but if he does depart, it will be on his own terms. He has been a phenomenal player for Spurs, and a brilliant dressing room influence and role model. Triggering his one-year extension was never a guarantee that he’ll stay. It was also a means to protect his value in case a club comes in this summer.
“Key to what happens next is Son’s own meeting with Thomas Frank, and we might not know whether an exit is possible until the final weeks of the window.
“Son is highly likely to travel to South Korea and play against Newcastle in a pre-season friendly. He is contractually obligated to appear as long as he’s still at the club.
“From there, it’s going to be up to the Spurs captain. I don’t get the impression Spurs will push to sell so much as respect Son’s wishes either way.
“Son will be aware Spurs are still looking at another left-sided versatile attacker even though Mathys Tel has signed permanently. It could be that he feels too far down the pecking order for his liking in a World Cup year, but I don’t think right now any decision has been made.
“Saudi Arabia have been chasing Son since 2023 and he is still a target now. Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al Qadsiah are three clubs to have expressed interest, while central dealmakers indicate they would be prepared to pay €40 million [£34m] plus add-ons for the South Korean.
“Al-Ahli are seeking a marquee signing and still hoping to strengthen on the left despite the arrival of winger Galeno from Porto in January. Vinicius Jr is another ambitious name on their list, but a tough transfer to pull off.
“Saudi dealmakers are prepared to offer Son around €30m [£25.6m]-per-season, and view Son’s potential arrival as a way of not just adding a star but also getting a return on investment via an anticipated TV rights deal in South Korea should he join. Son also has options in MLS and Turkey.”