min replacements Spurs could target in summer transfer window

An illustrious 10-year era is about to draw to a close in North London, as Tottenham Hotspur legend Son Heung-min has confirmed that he plans to leave the club during the summer transfer window.

The 33-year-old became just the 13th man to captain the Lilywhites to a trophy in last season's Europa League, having had his contract extended until the end of the 2025-26 campaign in a bid to finally earn him that precious winners' medal.

Having now achieved everything that he could possibly achieve - in his own words - Son is set to leave Spurs as their fifth-highest goalscorer of all time, as well as the highest-scoring non-Englishman the club has ever had.

Head coach Thomas Frank can already call upon Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert to fill Son's boots, but both men are far from the finished product, while Mikey Moore is spending the 2025-26 season on loan with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.

The Lilywhites hierarchy are therefore facing a critical decision over whether to sign an out-and-out replacement for Son, but several left-sided attackers immediately spring to mind when contemplating a natural successor.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at seven players Spurs could target to succeed Son next season.

Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United | 21)

If Spurs are to go down the youthful route to sign Son's replacement, they should find Manchester United to be very receptive to any offers for the wantaway Alejandro Garnacho, whose relationship with Ruben Amorim is broken beyond repair.

Player and manager fell out in the wake of Spurs' success over Man United in the Europa League final, where Garnacho was only given 19 minutes as a late substitute, leading to a sly dig from the winger and a less dignified calling-out from his brother and agent.

Nevertheless, Garnacho still managed to hit double figures in both goals and assists across all competitions last season, while also ranking in the top 5% of wingers in Europe for progressive carries per game with 5.79.

Tottenham are understood to be interested in the 2004-born attacker, who will likely be allowed to depart for around £40m, although Garnacho has apparently earmarked another team as his preferred destination for a summer move.

Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig | 20)

Spurs signed Son from the Bundesliga as a fresh-faced 23-year-old, and there is every chance that they could turn to the German top flight again to pick out the South Korean's follow-up act.

Twenty-year-old Antonio Nusa has already made an impression both internationally and domestically since bursting onto the scene with Club Brugge, producing five goals and seven assists in his debut season for RB Leipzig last term.

Eerily, the 2005-born attacker also boasts that exact total number of contributions for Norway - albeit from just 15 appearances - and he has averaged just over five take-ons per game over the past year.

However, as Leipzig are about to lose Xavi Simons to Chelsea and could also lose Benjamin Sesko to either Newcastle United or Manchester United, Spurs could run into stiff resistance should they also try to lure Nusa away from the Red Bull Arena.

Jack Grealish (Manchester City | 29)

Moving up the experience scale, Manchester City's Jack Grealish - who celebrates his 30th birthday in just over a month's time - would mentor, cover for and compete with the likes of Tel and Odobert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Once worth an astronomical £100m, the former Aston Villa sensation has failed to justify his nine-figure price tag across his four seasons at the Etihad Stadium, and a parting of the ways is now bound to happen sooner rather than later.

Tottenham are understood to be one of the teams keeping a close eye on Grealish's future, and the Lilywhites may have been handed a boost in their pursuit of the England international, as another one of his suitors - Everton - are now prioritising a deal for Southampton's Tyler Dibling.

However, while Grealish has always been a phenomenal ball carrier and chance creator when given his freedom on the pitch, he would be highly unlikely to replicate Son's output in front of goal, and the signing of Mohammed Kudus may reduce the need for a player of the Englishman's profile.

Rafael Leao (AC Milan | 26)

Perpetually linked with an exit from AC Milan but yet to attract a serious suitor, Rafael Leao is currently set to enter his seventh season at San Siro, where he continues to put up stellar figures on the scoring and playmaking front.

Leao has produced at least 10 assists in each of his last four Italian top-flight campaigns, and he has scored at least 12 goals in all competitions in every season since 2021-22 too, giving him a total of 132 direct involvements from 260 games for Milan.

The Portugal international recently stole the show in Milan's 4-2 pre-season win over Liverpool, putting in a man-of-the-match display with a goal and an assist, but question marks remain over his consistency.

Furthermore, Leao's contract - which runs until 2028 - contains a €175m (£152.8m) release clause, and the Rossoneri are expected to demand at least €100m (£87.3m) to even entertain the idea of him leaving this summer.

Rodrygo (Real Madrid | 24)

Audacious but not entirely unattainable, Spurs could make their own Galactico signing by prising Rodrygo away from Real Madrid, in what would no doubt be a new record transfer for the reigning Europa League champions.

The 24-year-old has struggled to achieve the same lofty status as Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu, although 68 goals and 51 assists from 270 games is still nothing to be scoffed at, and nor is two Champions League titles.

After an underwhelming Club World Cup campaign in which he only played 92 minutes, Rodrygo is a player whom Real Madrid are thought to be open to selling for the right price this summer, and Spurs have been credited with a shock interest in the former Santos starlet.

North London rivals Arsenal appear to have cooled their interest in Rodrygo, but another Premier League club have supposedly agreed personal terms with the South American, so Spurs ought to move fast if they are to turn the attacker's head.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace | 27)

Only a matter of weeks ago, Spurs appeared to be looking good for a blockbuster deal for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, one of the hottest properties on the playmaking market after going from strength to strength in 2024-25.

The 27-year-old enjoyed his most productive Premier League season in terms of goal contributions last term - eight of his own and eight assists - but more importantly, his strikes proved pivotal in propelling the Eagles to FA Cup stardom.

However, Palace are currently bound for the Conference League amid their ownership quarrel with UEFA, whereas Tottenham could offer Eze the chance to play under the bright lights of the Champions League, although they are thought to have cooled their interest a while back.

Tottenham's call allowed Arsenal to jump to the head of the queue, but the Gunners are yet to agree a fee with Palace, so it is not impossible to envisage Eze's head being turned if Spurs re-enter the race with intent.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC | 27)

During his forgettable first spell in English football, Ademola Lookman's most noteworthy contribution was probably his atrocious attempt at a Panenka penalty for Fulham in 2020, where he inexplicably wasted the chance to level a London derby with West Ham United in the 98th minute.

However, the London-born attacker has since redeemed himself with Atalanta BC, scoring 52 goals over the past three seasons, including an unforgettable and historic hat-trick in the 2023-24 Europa League final thumping of Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman's feats in Italy have caught Spurs' eye - according to CaughtOffside - and the Nigeria international would also be able to replicate Son's versatility, having shone as a central striker, left-winger and second striker throughout his time in Serie A.

Inter Milan appeared to be Lookman's likeliest next destination earlier this summer, but the Nerazzurri have apparently moved on to Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku after seeing two bids rejected by Atalanta, so the door is now ajar for Tottenham to make their move.