Football London

Thomas Frank must decide which Tottenham players start alongside Son Heung-min against Newcastle in Seoul in what could be the final game he plays for the club.

After football.londonbroke the news on Saturday that the Korean star would be departing the club after informing new head coach Frank of his wish to go, the Spurs captain confirmed the report at a press conference in the South Korean capital. With MLS side Los Angeles FC progressing in talks with Tottenham to sign the 33-year-old and Son keen to make the move to the USA, Sunday's pre-season fixture against Eddie How's Newcastle could feasibly be the final time the former Golden Boot-winner plays for the north London club.

If so then the attacker will get a huge send off in front of 66,000 of his country's fans inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium and it means his final competitive game in front of the Tottenham faithful was that night in Bilbao when he lifted the Europa League trophy.

Spurs beat Arsenal 1-0 in their first game on tour in Hong Kong and while many of the Tottenham stars will be keen to play with Son in case it is his final game alongside them, Frank will also be mindful of players being involved in two matches within three days, with this game in the heat in Seoul.

In open training on Saturday, Frank selected two different starting XIs during a mini match in the session at the Anyang Sports Complex. The team in bibs was comprised of Vicario, Abbott, Vuskovic, Van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Bissouma, Kudus, Maddison, Odobert and Richarlison. The team without bibs was made up of Kinsky, Porro, Romero, Danso, Davies, Bentancur, Gray, Johnson, Pape, Son and Tel.

Either Frank will select one of those two sides or he will mix and match for the game against Newcastle. Some players only played an hour against the Gunners while others played most if not all of it. Maddison might be able to play 45 minutes after coming on late against Arsenal on Thursday.

Here's the team we reckon the Dane could select.

Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has expressed his confidence that Joao Palhinha's proposed summer move to Tottenham Hotspur will be wrapped up quickly.

Thomas Frank's side begin the new Premier League campaign in exactly three weeks, hosting newly-promoted Burnley. In that time, the manager hopes to introduce at least one new star to his squad.

Palhinha's arrival from Bayern is now lined up as the manager wants a specialist defensive midfielder to join the plethora of all-rounders that previously occupied the club's engine room.

Spurs have been successful in striking a similar deal with the German champions as they managed for Mathys Tel back in January. Their new midfielder is set to sign on an initial season-long loan followed by the option of a €30m (£26.1m) permanent deal next summer.

And as quoted by German outlet BILD reporter Heiko Niedderer, Allianz Arena sporting director Freund suggests there should be no hitches in the impending deal.

"If everything goes smoothly, it won't drag on endlessly," he said before teasing: "Soon..."

Palhinha was not included in Vincent Kompany's squad on Saturday afternoon as the Bundesliga heavyweights defeated French side Lyon 2-1.

His last appearance for the club was on June 24 - in a FIFA Club World Cup group stage reverse to Benfica - which proved to be his only performance at the tournament as the midfielder was benched for the other four matches in the United States.

While the 30-year-old's time in Germany has been troubled, he did enjoy a two-year spell in England beforehand with Fulham. In total he made 79 appearances under Marco Silva - scoring eight goals - and was named the club's Player of the Season in 2022/2023.

Frank had, previously, been coy about which profile of players he wanted to add to his squad, saying: "That is something I would like to keep very private. We're out there in the market and we're aware where we, maybe, want to strengthen the squad in general.

"I'm happy with the squad and we've already done a top signing in Mohammed Kudus coming in - and is showing us his quality already. We've got a squad where there is a lot of talent in and quality but, of course, we're looking."

So here we are. The end of Son Heung-min's time at Tottenham. The influential attacker will bring down the curtain on his time in north London after ending in glory in Bilbao.

It was an emotional day for all concerned with Spurs, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final to finally bring to an end a long trophy drought - too long a time for a club of Tottenham's stature.

But as with all bad, so too must all good things come to an end. While rumours had been circulating about Son's future since that trophy lift in Bilbao, it is still a shock to see the Spurs captain announce that he is looking to leave the club.

There has been so much change at Spurs over the last few years that it does feel like one piece of the bedrock connecting the old Tottenham to the new - from White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino to Thomas Frank and struggle to glory - is shifting.

"It was the most difficult decision of my career," Son told football.london at the press conference where he made the big announcement. "I have been here for ten years. It’s a beautiful club with beautiful fans. I have such amazing memories."

With such a big decision made, there are naturally questions from fans - the clearest of which is, naturally, why? Son said that while the decision had been tough, after lifting the trophy in Spain it is "the right time" to leave.

"It was so hard to make the decision," he added. "I just felt like I needed a new environment to push myself to get more out of me I think I needed a little bit of change. 10 years is a long time.

"I came to north London as a kid. Twenty-three years old, a very young age. A boy who couldn't speak English. I leave this club as a grown man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love.

"It felt like it was my home, it was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. "I think it is the right time to leave, I hope that everyone understands that and respects that.

"It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. I have spent ten years at Tottenham. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I'm grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season."

Son looks set to move to America, with various MLS teams interested in a move. However, talks seem to be advanced with LAFC over a move, with the player understood to be keen on completing the switch.

football.london understands that Son told the club and his new head coach Frank earlier this summer that he wanted to leave on the perfect high note. The Dane is believed to have spoken to a number of senior players at Tottenham when he was first appointed and Son was the only one who indicated a desire to leave.

Tottenham took part in what is likely to be the final open training session with Son Heung-min in a Spurs shirt as they worked in the heat of Seoul.

After football.londonbroke the news in the early hours of Saturday that the South Korean star would be leaving the club after telling new head coach Thomas Frank of his wish to depart north London, the Spurs captain confirmed the report at a press conference in the Korean capital.

With MLS side Los Angeles FC in talks with Tottenham to sign the 33-year-old and Son keen to make the move there, Sunday's pre-season match against Newcastle could feasibly be the final time the former Golden Boot-winner plays for the club.

Ahead of that game, Frank got to work on the training pitches with Son and his team-mates in the heat at the Anyang Sports Complex about an hour from the team hotel and the press conference venue.

Here are five things our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold spotted while watching that session in South Korea.

Sonny love

Of course there was plenty of noise and love for the man of the moment as 8,000 fans gathered inside the multi-purpose stadium for a glimpse of their national hero and his team-mates.

Son got cheered whenever he touched the ball and the crowd let out a roar when he netted a goal in the training match. Nobody minded or probably even noticed that one of the coaches held up a flag to suggest he was offside.

The crowds were all waiting after the session, some to get things signed, others just to get a photo as the Tottenham captain remained after training. A drone hovered over the whole scene unfolding below.

There was also a hilarious moment as the huge 7ft 1ins Korean mixed martial arts star Choi Hong-man, after taking selfies with various Spurs players and Frank, picked up Son and cradled him like a baby. The 33-year-old Tottenham star giggled and covered his face with his hands.

The fans waited long after the training session to see him and the players eventually head off to the coach.

Who missed out

The main Tottenham player to miss out on the session was striker Dominic Solanke with the forward not involved with Frank and the players.

"Dominic is unfortunately not quite ready. He’s taking slightly a bit longer. Again, not overly concerned, but he's not available for the Newcastle game," said Frank.

"Everyone else looks good, a few tired bodies, naturally after the game against Arsenal and travelling to Seoul, but touch wood everyone is good."

The training match

As was the case in the previous open training session, this one featured a short match with two distinct XIs set up in the Frank style, flitting from the base 4-2-3-1 tactic to other formations.

For this match the team without bibs was made up of Kinsky, Porro, Romero, Danso, Davies, Bentancur, Gray, Johnson, Pape, Son and Tel.

The side with bibs contained Vicario, Abbott, Vuskovic, Van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Bissouma, Kudus, Maddison, Odobert and Richarlison.

The match appeared to be goalless like the one in Hong Kong, with only Son putting the ball in the net with that effort mentioned earlier that was flagged offside.

What happened next

Before the match and after the warm-ups, the team had taken part in a possession drill between two teams in a square with the keepers involved, all using their feet.

Following the game Frank led the team in corner practice with a packed box, blowing the whistle after every scenario they worked through. One player was not involved and that was Yves Bissouma who was being taken by a sports science staff member on runs in the other half, perhaps making up for his lack of minutes in the previous match.

After that it appeared to be a period of free time for the players to do what they wanted. Some took part in shooting practice while others did keepy-uppys together. Luka Vuskovic and Antonin Kinsky worked as pair in the centre circle for a while with quick passes.

At the other end of the pitch Djed Spence was practicing taking corners for Wilson Odobert to volley into the net.

Lankshear on fire

One player who appeared to be flying at the end of the session was young striker Will Lankshear. The 20-year-old was taking part in the shooting drills and had the crowd gasping at some of his finishing.

One was an absolute rocket of a strike that cannoned in off the crossbar and he followed it up with a delightfully delicate chip over the onrushing keeper with his very next effort.

Lankshear was not involved in the squad in Hong Kong and will be hoping he managed to catch Frank's eye enough to get a couple of minutes against Newcastle on Sunday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Tottenham are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani and could make him their next marquee signing after Son Heung-min confirmed he will leave club this summer, it has been reported.

In an emotional press conference before Tottenham's pre-season fixture against Newcastle United in South Korea, Son, 33, revealed that he has made the "difficult" decision to depart north London.

"Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer," Son said. "Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start."

"It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career," he continued. "I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I’m grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season."

While Son refused to comment on his next destination, MLS side LAFC appear to be leading the race for his signature. There is also Saudi Arabia interest in the former Bayer Leverkusen man.

For Tottenham, the search to replace Son is expected to intensify. Thomas Frank is keen to strengthen his forward line, despite the £55m arrival of Mohammed Kudus, and PSG's Kolo Muani is said to be right at the top of the club's shortlist. The France international spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus.

According to The Times, Spurs remain interested in a move for Kolo Muani, having attempted to sign him before he joined Juventus on loan in January. He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for the Italian club.

A centre forward who can play anywhere across the forward line, Kolo Muani would add some more strength and power to Tottenham's attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season.

In the meantime, Tottenham are working on a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old endured a difficult first season in Germany, following his £43m move from Fulham last summer.

But Palhinha is now expected to return to England and is due for a medical at Tottenham before putting the finishing touches on a loan switch from Bayern. The deal is anticipated to include an option to buy.

Palhinha had been a standout performer for Fulham, winning their player of the season award during his first campaign after signing from Sporting Lisbon in July 2022. His aggressive style suited the Premier League, having topped the ­division for tackles in both campaigns with Fulham.

The moment that sealed Son Heung-min's exit from Tottenham came not in the boardroom but as he sank to his knees on the green turf of the Estadio de San Mamés on the evening of May 21.

The Spurs captain's desire for a fresh challenge had been growing for some time and lifting that trophy in Bilbao felt like the perfect cherry on top of a 10-year-old north London cake. So when Thomas Frank took the helm at Tottenham in June and made a point of phoning all of the senior players in the squad to pick their minds on the club, it soon became apparent that his chat with Son was going to be a different one.

For the South Korean was the only one of that group of experienced stars to pick up the phone and tell the Dane that he wanted to leave the club. Frank was likely expecting it, for there was a feeling inside the club for much of last season that Son had set his mind on a fresh start.

Spurs had taken up the option to extend his contract by another 12 months to ensure they got some recompense this summer for him, but the idea from that point on was that Son had given so much to the club both on and off the pitch that the 33-year-old deserved to lead the direction of what came next.

After a decade of service, Spurs were prepared to be flexible over the price, timing and destination of his exit. There was interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, which would have resulted in more lucrative offers for Tottenham. Son was not as opposed to such a move as he previously had been but the idea that appealed the most to him was joining former captain Hugo Lloris at Los Angeles FC.

LA contains the largest Korean population in the United States, which itself has the most Koreans in one country outside their homeland, and a move to Major League Soccer would bring Son to a league that boasts Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as well as an opportunity to place him in front of the growing American audience.

Talks between LAFC and Spurs progressed around the team's 1-0 win against Arsenal in Hong Kong and continued across the days as the north London club made their way to Seoul. They reached a stage at which Son felt comfortable enough to begin telling other team-mates about his decision.

His close friends already knew what was coming. Son's best friend is Ben Davies - the South Korean is godfather to the Welshman's son Ralph - and the two had discussed the future for months as both were in the same situation. The defender also had his contract option taken up by Spurs to tag an additional year on, but at this moment looks to be remaining in north London.

Son made sure that his friends knew about his decision before he took to the stage in the IFC Mall office building in Seoul on Saturday morning to announce it publicly in a press conference which was meant to be looking ahead to the pre-season game against Newcastle but ended up being anything but.

As proceedings were about to begin, Son took a breath and his trademark polite manner said: "Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer. Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start."

football.london asked the former Golden Boot winner just how difficult that decision was after 10 years of wonderful memories in N17.

"It was the most difficult decision of my career. I have been here for 10 years. It’s a beautiful club with beautiful fans. I have such amazing memories," he said. "It was so hard to make the decision. I just felt like I needed a new environment to push myself to get more out of me I think I needed a little bit of change. 10 years is a long time.

"I came to north London as a kid. 23 years old, a very young age. A boy who couldn’t speak English. I leave this club as a grown man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home. It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that."

There were times on Saturday morning when he caught himself, teetering on the edge of breaking into tears, but managed to hold them in, never more so than when speaking about his friends within the club.

"I spoke with only a few guys, ones I've spent a long time with. Obviously they're disappointed, as a friendship or as a team-mate you'd be very disappointed if someone decided to leave, but in a respectful way," he said. "Obviously I'm very close with Ben so we've spoken about the future a lot of times.

"He fully respects my decision. So does everyone. What can I say? It's very, very hard to tell my team-mates because I sometimes probably spend more time with them than my family because we're travelling together, spending time together every single day at the training ground, five or six hours every day. I think we know each other so well.

"Everybody was disappointed but also in a way very happy for me. That was my feeling but I don't what they were actually feeling! They seemed happy but disappointed when I told them my decision."

Some of his team-mates and the coaching staff within Tottenham sensed months ago what was coming this summer. Son was utterly committed to ensuring his final season was a success, but those closest to him noticed the slightest difference, even if it was just a one percent change in how he viewed things.

Injuries hampered his final campaign and he was often playing through pain, but he continued to drive the team on even if his contribution was not as high as he would have wanted.

There is a misconception that Son is not a vocal captain and instead more of a leader by example like Ledley King was during his years at the club.

In fact Son is a talker and those within the dressing room say his greatest strength as a captain was unifying the squad. The ever-smiling South Korean would be seen with his arm around anyone, whether it was another leader like Cristian Romero or a youngster like Mikey Moore or an even fresher wide-eyed recruit sent from the academy into a first team session for the first time.

Son had time for everyone and he brought people together. Spurs have had some fractured squads over the years with cliques and arguments that ran deep, but it's no coincidence that during Son's time as captain the squad was the closest-knit it had been since the Mauricio Pochettino years.

In previous years the club could occasionally split into groups with the Spanish and French speakers off in their own spaces and the English players doing their own thing. Son though would bounce between the groups, a legend and a friend to all of them, and they naturally gelled together with him as their leader.

There's no way a team that suffered through the injury crisis that hit Tottenham last year and the dreadful league form that followed could have won the Europa League without being tightly-knit as a band of brothers rather than an assembly of individuals. Don't forget how young that Spurs squad was and Son played a huge part in focusing those young minds in those final months when it really mattered, even when he couldn't lead them on the pitch as a foot injury dogged him to the point where he had to retreat to the sidelines.

While there is disappointment at Son's exit among his friends at Spurs in terms of losing a grinning force of nature in the dressing room as well as a top player, there is a happiness for him to experience something new.

After a decade in one place, a change of scenery will be perfect for him. MLS has been ideal for Messi to remain in the spotlight and his best moments shared around the world with less focus on anything that declines as age catches up with greatness. The same will be the case for Son and he will be refreshed and reenergised for next summer's World Cup.

Sunday's game against Newcastle could well be Son's final match in a Spurs shirt. There is something beautifully poetic about that. He gets a huge send off in front of 66,000 of his country's fans inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium and it means his final competitive game in front of the Tottenham faithful was that night in Bilbao.

As he sank to his knees and wept on that pitch it all hit him in one go. The relief, the pride and the knowledge that he would leave Tottenham Hotspur in a better place than he found it. After 454 appearances, 173 goals and 101 assists, Son Heung-min had led them to a European title, the trophy drought was over. His job was done.

Thomas Frank has been speaking in Seoul at a press conference where Son Heung-min confirmed that he has decided to leave Tottenham Hotspur.

football.london hadreported earlier on Saturday that the Tottenham captain had told the club and new head coach Thomas Frank of his decision to leave this summer on the perfect high note. Frank is understood to have spoken to a number of senior players at the club when he was first appointed and Son was the only one who indicated a desire to leave.

On Saturday, the 33-year-old confirmed that news at a press conference in South Korea alongside side Frank ahead of the pre-season match against Newcastle.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those in Seoul putting the questions to the Tottenham legend and the new head coach. You can find every single word Son said in a full transcript by heading right here and below we have every word Frank said in the press conference.

Are you looking forward to the game?

Looking forward to it of course. First and foremost to be in South Korea, in Seoul is fantastic. The way the fans met us in the airport is just ‘wow.’ I just saw how much the club means to everyone out here so I’m looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a great game against Newcastle.

What was your reaction to Son's decision to leave?

For me personally, I would love to work with him. He is a fantastic person and player. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him from a distance. He has been here 10 years at Spurs, not just 10 years but 10 amazing years. He is a truly Spurs legend in every aspect. I actually think one of the best players who has ever played in the Premier League as a winger in my opinion.

I like the club has been open to it because it is never easy to find that perfect timing and me coming in a little bit from the side I think it’s probably the perfect timing going out on a high. Been here for 10 years, won a well deserved trophy. Been a key player for many seasons. It’s almost the perfect ending to a happy family.

It looked like you've tried to put Brennan Johnson on the left since Son decided he was leaving, does that he mean he will take his place?

First and foremost, when a great player is leaving a team other players have a chance to shine. Brennan Johnson is a player who could play on the left. Also I think that Wilson Odobert did well against Arsenal and can play on the left and also Mathys Tel is a flexible player. I think we have some young promising players that hopefully can step up and take over from Sonny in the future.

There's been rumours that tomorrow's match might be Son's last match at Tottenham so will you give him as many minutes as possible or look at others for the future?

I think it's very clear. It's no secret that Sonny will start and will lead the team out as captain. So I'm looking forward to that in many ways and if it is to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it in South Korea, his home country in front of his home fans. That could potentially be a beautiful ending. First and foremost with the biggest respect to Sonny and what he's done for the club.

Is there anything you'd like to test in tomorrow's game and also with Yang, is there anything you'd like to see from him?

I think the first game against Arsenal I was pleased with the performance going forward, especially in the first half. Now we've got another good test against Newcastle. I'd like to see more of the same especially with the high pressure and the middle pressure, and also add a bit to our phase two in tomorrow's game.

With Yang, he is a good promising young player with good talent and he needs to keep working hard and keep trying to improve and develop. He's not been playing for that long and a role model like Sonny must be fantastic for him.

Son Heung-min has been speaking about his decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur to the media out in South Korea during the club's pre-season tour.

football.london reported earlier that the Spurs captain had told the club and new head coach Thomas Frank of his decision to leave this summer on the perfect high note. Frank is believed to have spoken to a number of senior players at Tottenham when he was first appointed and Son was the only one who indicated a desire to leave.

On Saturday, Son spoke at a press conference in Seoul with Frank ahead of the pre-season match against Newcastle and the 33-year-old explained his decision to look for a new challenge.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those in South Korea putting the questions to the Tottenham legend at what is likely to be his final press conference for the north London club. Here is every single word an emotional Son said, including the statement he made to open the press conference.

Son's statement

Thank you for having us again here in Korea for the second year in a row. Everybody really appreciates it. It’s just incredible. Yesterday at the airport we felt the welcome. Everybody loved this and can’t wait to play tomorrow.

Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer. Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start.

Where will you go?

I’m not here to talk about my next team. I want to focus on tomorrow’s match.

Why have you decided to leave now?

It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I’m grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season.

You've given us 10 years of wonderful memories at Spurs, how difficult is it going to be to leave?

I said it before but it was the most difficult decision of my career. I have been here for 10 years. It’s a beautiful club with beautiful fans. I have such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision. I just felt like I needed a new environment to push myself to get more out of me I think I needed a little bit of change. 10 years is a long time.

I came to north London as a kid. 23 years old, a very young age. A boy who couldn’t speak English. I leave this club as a grown man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home. It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that.

What would you be looking for in your next team?

For now it's to focus on tomorrow's match. I would not give many comments on the next team. Obviously I would like to focus on tomorrow's match and the future and the next team will be decided afterwards. In choosing the next team, the World Cup will definitely be one of the key points that I will consider. It might be my last World Cup so I need my new environment to give all that I've got for my football career. As well as the World Cup, I will also need to find a team that will make me happy while playing football.

Have you spoken to your team-mates about the decision and how did they react?

I spoke with only a few guys, ones I've spent a long time with. Obviously they're disappointed, as a friendship or as a team-mate you'd be very disappointed if someone decided to leave, but in a respectful way. Obviously I'm very close with Ben so we've spoken about the future a lot of times.

Obviously he fully respects my decision. So does everyone. What can I say? It's very, very hard to tell my team-mates because I sometimes probably spend more time with them than my family because we're travelling together, spending time together every single day at the training ground, five or six hours every day. I think we know each other so well. Everybody was disappointed but also in a way very happy for me. That was my feeling but I don't what they were actually feeling! They seemed happy but disappointed when I told them my decision.

You seemed to be a little sadder than normal in Hong Kong and exactly when did you make this decision?

It's been a while since I decided to leave the club. It was not easy days or weeks for me. I always try to be happy and I'm happiest when I'm playing football, but, it's not easy to leave the club where I spent 10 years light-hearted.

I tried to not give any negative impact on other players, didn't want to make any sort of noise, but it was inevitable, that people noticed my feelings. My fans even know my habits, so they could notice about it, but I'll try to have good time for the two days while I'm in here.

Yang Min-hyeok is at the club, are there any tips you'd like to give him?

I'm very happy to see young players come up and develop in Europe. I'm very proud to see Yang fight for a position in the squad. As for tips, I'd like to see Yang experience things on the field and not think too much or too hard. Just focus on what's in front of him.

Son Heung-min has told Tottenham and new head coach Thomas Frank that he wants to leave the club and talks with Los Angeles FC have been taking place over a move, football.london understands.

The 33-year-old has spent 10 years at Spurs, scoring 173 goals and registering 101 assists in 454 appearances. He became the first Asian player to score 100 goals in the Premier League and in May Son managed to do what so few before him have managed at Tottenham in lifting a European trophy as captain of the club.

With that goal achieved and the Europa League trophy in the cabinet, football.london understands that Son told the club and his new head coach Frank earlier this summer that he wanted to leave on the perfect high note. The Dane is believed to have spoken to a number of senior players at Tottenham when he was first appointed and Son was the only one who indicated a desire to leave.

The former Premier League Golden Boot winner is understood to be keen to make the move to Los Angeles, where former Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris currently plies his trade. The city contains the largest Korean population in the USA and such a move would bring Son to a league that boasts Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as well as an opportunity to put the South Korean star in front of the growing American audience.

Despite interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, which likely would have resulted in more lucrative offers for Tottenham, the north London club were supportive over the move and said to be flexible over the price, timing and destination that Son wanted due to his decade of service and huge contribution to the Lilywhites.

Talks with LAFC have taken place around Spurs' 1-0 win against Arsenal in Hong Kong and now the South Korea captain could make the move to the USA if a deal is agreed with the MLS outfit.

Son has remained professional throughout recent weeks, with his team-mates and Frank praising his efforts in training. He only played 15 minutes at the end of the game against the Gunners and after the final whistle of that encounter, the team's skipper for the night Cristian Romero went over and put the captain's armband on his team-mate, amid some resistance from Son, to ensure he got to lift another piece of silverware with the team, albeit the pre-season Herbalgy Trophy.

Son's potential LA switch means Sunday's match against Newcastle in his homeland might be the final game of his glittering time at the north London club unless the talks continue until Tottenham travel to Munich next week to take on Bayern.

Son and the team arrived to 500 Korean fans waiting inside Incheon International Airport on Friday after Spurs' flight from Hong Kong and he will now get to enjoy a farewell tour of sorts in front of a sell-out 66,000 crowd at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and it could also mean his last game in front of the Tottenham fans was that night in Bilbao.

Son's legacy at the north London club would have been intact regardless because of what he's produced in the 10 years since his £22million move from Bayer Leverkusen, but that Europa League final solidified it in his own mind even if only for one evening.

"Let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today! 17 years nobody has done it, so today let’s say with amazing players probably a legend of the club," he said in Spain after lifting the trophy. "This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world."

Now Son looks set to bring an emotional close to his time at Tottenham and potentially embark on a new chapter of his career in Major League Soccer.

Son Heung-min and head coach Thomas Frank are speaking to the media ahead of Tottenham's pre-season game against Newcastle United in South Korea after the captain asked to leave the club.

There has been speculation surrounding the future of the Spurs skipper with MLS side Los Angeles FC interested in taking him across the Atlantic. With 12 months left on his contract, Son and his team-mates have had to deal with the uncertainty surrounding what comes next for him and football.london reported that the 33-year-old has asked to leave the club.

Frank has been unable to name a captain for the coming season until the situation is resolved one way or another and the two men are speaking in Seoul ahead of Tottenham's second game of their Asian tour as they take on Eddie Howe's Newcastle side.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to Son and Frank in Seoul. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference in South Korea.