Son Heung-min has spent 10 years at Tottenham Hotspur but at 32, the club captain is no longer a guaranteed starter and could be allowed to leave - but only after the club's summer tour of his homeland
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min could quit for Saudi Arabia - but only after going on Spurs’ lucrative tour to South Korea. South Korea forward Son, 32, has 12 months left on his current deal and is regarded as a club legend after helping Tottenham win their first trophy in 17 years.
But there is strong interest from the Saudi Pro League and other clubs in the Middle East for one of the Premier League ’s biggest names. However, Son is a huge name in his homeland, is one of the nation’s biggest ever exports and Tottenham are due to play in South Korea this summer.
Therefore, it would take a huge offer to persuade Spurs to allow him to go before they play Arsenal in Hong Kong on July 31 before, crucially, a game against Newcastle in Seoul three days later. Tottenham know the value of Son’s presence in these games and it attracts incredible commercial value and interest.
Son lost his automatic starting place last season and his future is uncertain despite the club opting to extend his contract for another 12 months.
But new boss Thomas Frank is looking at new forward options after making a move to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo - who is also wanted by Manchester United - and Bournemouth ’s Antoine Semenyo. They have also signed Mathys Tel on a permanent deal.
That has only heightened the doubt around Son’s future and this summer could see him move on - but only at the right time and price.
Son joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 173 goals in 454 appearances and is widely recognised as one of their best players of recent times.