Daily Express

Tottenham's worst fears have been realised - James Maddison is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a devastating ACL injury that will keep him out for more than six months. The 28-year-old was stretchered off during Spurs' pre-season draw with Newcastle in South Korea last weekend after aggravating the same knee injury that kept him out of the Europa League final in May.

The timing couldn't be worse. With the start of the Premier League season fast approaching and a long-awaited return to Champions League football on the horizon - a stage Maddison was set to grace for the first time - the injury has left new manager Thomas Frank and the Spurs hierarchy scrambling for solutions. Maddison's absence doesn't just rob Tottenham of their creative heartbeat, but it also reshapes the club's entire attacking strategy. Now, with precious weeks remaining in the window, reinforcements are likely to be explored and very possibly pursued. Here, Express Football looks at the most plausible options to fill the void.

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Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze has been in Tottenham's crosshairs for some time, and Maddison's injury could finally push them to act. The Crystal Palace midfielder's flair, versatility and goal threat make him an ideal candidate to step into Maddison's role - especially after a standout season in which he registered 14 goals and 11 assists, including the winner in the FA Cup final.

Palace remain firm on Eze's £68million release clause, but Spurs may be willing to meet the price given the growing urgency. With Heung-min Son also departing for LAFC earlier this week, the attacking void in Frank's squad is significant - and Eze has the tools to help fill it.

His unique blend of physical power and technical finesse, coupled with proven Premier League experience, makes him a highly attractive target. But Tottenham may not have a clear path to his signature, with Arsenal also reportedly weighing up a move.

Jacob Ramsey

Jacob Ramsey's dynamic box-to-box energy offers Tottenhham a different flavour of attacking midfielder. The 24-year-old's work rate and ability to carry the ball forward could complement Spurs' setup, but his lack of goals - scoring just once in the Premier League last season - might raise concerns about his end product.

Aston Villa have reportedly slapped a £40m price tag on Ramsey, but with their financial situation under pressure, that figure could soften as the window progresses. Tottenham have been monitoring him for a while, drawn not just to his creative impact but also his defensive contributions and tactical versatility.

While he may not match Maddison's flair or final-third input, his youth, homegrown status and all-action style could make him a shrewd investment for a club looking to build for the future while addressing immediate needs.

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott was once seen as the future of Liverpool's midfield, but his trajectory has stalled. After making just two Premier League starts under Arne Slot last season, his long-term prospects at Anfield look dead in the water.

While RB Leipzig have been linked with a move, Tottenham could seize the opportunity to offer Elliott a domestic lifeline - and a clear path to regular first-team football. At 22, Elliott still has significant room to develop, and his versatility, creativity, and European experience make him an enticing prospect.

Liverpool, however, are reluctant to let him go easily. They've reportedly set a £40m asking price with a buy-back clause, rising to £50m without one. Despite the fee, Spurs may view Elliott as a gamble worth taking. His technical ability, relentless work rate, and tactical flexibility - traits that earned him regular minutes under Jurgen Klopp - could make him a valuable addition both now and in the long term.

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish's stint at Manchester City may have fallen short of expectations, but on his day, the 29-year-old still possesses match-winning quality. Currently in talks with Everton, Grealish could yet be tempted by a move to Tottenham - especially with Champions League football on offer. Spurs, long-time admirers of the England international, may now see an opening to finally get their man.

While critics argue his best days are behind him, Grealish still brings proven Premier League experience and creative flair in abundance. His dribbling, vision, and ability to dictate tempo - hallmarks of his Villa peak - could offer a different dimension to Spurs' attack. However, his high wages remain a potential stumbling block.

The reported £40m price tag may also seem steep for a player turning 30 next month, but a loan deal could present a more pragmatic solution, especially with Maddison's injury creating a short-term need. Grealish's knack for drawing fouls and slowing the pace could bring control during chaotic spells, complementing Frank's high-intensity setup. Still, after an underwhelming last couple of seasons at the Etihad, any move - whether long-term or short - would carry an element of risk.

James McAtee

James McAtee, 22, is one of Manchester City's most promising emerging talents, boasting the technical finesse and vision well-suited to a No. 10 role. Despite limited first-team opportunities at the Etihad, his quality is evident, and a permanent move could be on the cards if a club is willing to meet City's valuation, reportedly around £40m.

With Cole Palmer's breakthrough at Chelsea setting the precedent, Tottenham could present McAtee with a fast-tracked path to regular Premier League football. His ability to link play, thread passes, and unlock defences echoes aspects of Maddison's game, though he still lacks top-flight experience. That said, his loan spell at Sheffield United offered encouraging signs, showcasing his sharp passing, intelligent movement, and ability to control games.

For Spurs, McAtee represents an intriguing prospect: a high-upside, long-term investment with the potential to flourish under the right guidance. However, given their need for an immediate impact signing, the club may be inclined to prioritise more experienced, ready-made options.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Once seen as one of England's brightest midfield prospects, Carney Chukwuemeka has slipped under the radar at Chelsea. But at 21, his raw talent - marked by sharp dribbling, creative vision, and physical presence - remains undeniable. Injuries and limited minutes at Stamford Bridge make a £30m exit plausible, though Dortmund - who took him on loan last season - are also circling.

While his lack of top-flight experience presents a risk, Chukwuemeka's versatility and technical skillset may ease those concerns. He showed flashes of brilliance at Chelsea under former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, with explosive bursts and an ability to beat defenders that could bring a fresh, unpredictable edge to Tottenham's midfield.

Of all the candidates, Chukwuemeka comes with the most question marks but maintains a high ceiling. If Spurs can tap into his potential, he could prove to be a transformative signing rather than just a gamble.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that James Maddison will miss most of the 2025/26 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season. The Spurs midfielder has been struck with the devastating news after tumbling to the ground in agony during Sunday's 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.

Maddison missed the end of last season, including Spurs' Europa League final triumph over Manchester United, with a knee injury. After appearing as a second-half substitute against Newcastle in Seoul, South Korea, the 28-year-old overextended the same knee and immediately signalled a problem.

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Maddison looked severely distressed before exiting the pitch on a stretcher. He was later spotted leaving the stadium on crutches, and Thomas Frank admitted it looked like a "bad injury".

The Spurs head coach said: "Sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today.

"It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players [who gave Son a guard of honour].

"We're pretty sure it was the same knee he [Maddison] injured before."

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Maddison is set to undergo surgery that will keep him sidelined for the majority of the new campaign.

A Spurs statement read: "We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

"The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.

"His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team.

"Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way."

It's a heartbreaking development ahead of a major season of transition at Spurs under Frank, who will likely be on the hunt to replace such a key player.

Players will also be looking ahead to next summer when the 2026 World Cup takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Maddison's long-term injury layoff makes his inclusion in Thomas Tuchel's England squad now highly unlikely.

The former Leicester City playmaker had undergone a series of tests since returning from Asia on Monday.

Tottenham figures shared initial fears that Maddison had suffered cruciate ligament damage, and those worries have since come to fruition.

Alan Shearer has given his predictions for the upcoming Premier League season, suggesting that the status quo could remain at both ends of the table. Last season didn't offer much of a title race due to Liverpool's dominance and consistency from the get-go.

They have splashed out significant sums, including the British-record signing Florian Wirtz, in an attempt to secure back-to-back titles. Alexander Isak might still make a move to Anfield, and Shearer can't see past the Reds as champions.

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Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have returned to the top flight. They'll be keen to break the worrying recent trend of promoted teams being relegated straight back to the Championship.

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However, Shearer has predicted that all three will only enjoy one year in the Premier League before returning to the second tier. This would mark the third consecutive year that the three promoted teams fail to survive, further emphasising the gap between the top flight and the Championship.

Arsenal are tipped to finish second for the fourth consecutive year - a prediction that won't please Mikel Arteta. He has invested heavily, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres as his No.9, but may still fall short of the prize he is so eager to win, with pressure mounting.

Manchester City had a quiet season last term and are starting a year without Kevin De Bruyne for the first time in a decade. Despite bolstering their squad, Shearer hasn't backed Pep Guardiola and his team to reclaim their crown, instead placing them in third.

Manchester United, who hit a new low last season, have bolstered their attacking line-up as Ruben Amorim seeks to turn their fortunes around. However, the pundit predicts an improved but not Champions League-worthy performance.

He believes that Chelsea and Newcastle - two clubs with contrasting summer experiences - will both finish above the Red Devils. Newcastle's fate may depend on whether Isak stays or if they can secure a top-tier replacement.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have had no trouble attracting attacking talent. Nottingham Forest, last year's dark horse, will now have to juggle domestic duties with Europa League commitments.

This is uncharted territory for them, but Shearer still backs them to finish in the top half of the table. Tottenham, having sacked Ange Postecoglou despite his European success, are entering a new era.

Thomas Frank faces a daunting task, but Shearer predicts an eighth-place finish for Spurs, just behind Aston Villa. The Midlands club has reaped the benefits of Unai Emery's leadership, but intense competition at the top could see them slip again.

Brentford, now under Keith Andrews' management, are tipped to narrowly escape relegation, finishing 17th. West Ham, despite Graham Potter's first full season at the helm, are also expected to face a challenging year.

For teams like Everton and Crystal Palace, another year of secure mid-table football is on the cards. The Eagles will be participating in European football, although not in their preferred competition.

Fulham, Wolves and Bournemouth are expected to remain relatively safe. Brighton, sitting at tenth, might have aspired for more under Fabian Hurzeler.

Shearer's forecasted Premier League table

*Predictions from Betfair.

Chelsea are set to use Tottenham the same way they have Arsenal over the years after their rivals were linked with one of their players. The Blues have again made a raft of signings this summer, and are still pursuing the likes of Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.

Joao Felix is one player to have been sold to offset costs, while several others are currently training alone after being told they have no future at the club. Two outcasts have also travelled across London to the Emirates, with Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga both signing for Mikel Arteta. They follow the likes of Jorginho, Willian, and Petr Cech, who have also crossed the divide over the years.

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Now, Christopher Nkunku is in line to be sold to raise funds. He’s made 62 club appearances since his move from RB Leipzig two years ago, but most of them as a substitute after failing to impress Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca.

Injury problems have also contributed to his inconsistent form. Nkunku, 27, did appear in six of seven games as the club landed the Club World Cup this summer, but that seemingly hasn’t been enough to salvage his career at Stamford Bridge.

He signed for a £52million fee, although he is likely to be sold for around £20m. This time around, however, it’s Spurs, and not their North London rivals, who the Blues will use to ship off perceived dead wood.

Spurs are being linked with a move for the French forward. Despite the signings of Mathys Tel and Mihammed Kudus, Thomas Frank is said to be looking for more squad depth following James Maddison's long-term injury.

Nkunku isn’t one of the players currently training away from the first-team squad. However, the arrivals of Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens, with a deal for Simons also expected to be completed imminently, will only limit his gametime further.

He had previously been linked with a move to Manchester United. However, they instead focused their attention on signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and have now submitted a bid for Benjamin Sesko, who was billed as Nkunku’s replacement when he signed for Leipzig.

Son Heung-min has ended his 10-year stay at Tottenham after making the "hardest decision ever" to leave for Los Angeles FC in a record Major League Soccer transfer.

It was revealed on Saturday that Son would depart Spurs following 173 goals in 454 appearances and months after he captained the club to Europa League glory.

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After an agreement between Tottenham and LAFC was struck for a deal in excess of £20million, the 33-year-old arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday and a day later he has finalised his transfer, which is the highest fee paid by an MLS club for a player.

In a post to Spurs fans on Instagram, Son, who has signed an initial two-year deal with LAFC with options for a further two, wrote: "How to find the right words for this? I don't know. I have been thinking for days. It's impossible. But here I go.

"It's time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur. My home for the past decade. When I arrived in 2015, I didn't speak English, I didn't know London, but you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me, and stood by me through every high and low.

"I was just a boy from Korea with big dreams who was supposed to have no chance. And now, 10 years later, North London is in my heart forever.

"I've made friends for life here, had the honour of becoming a godfather here, and had the privilege of captaining our special club here. I've poured my heart and soul into this club, which makes this the hardest decision ever.

"I thought if I was ever going to leave, it would have to be on my terms, on the best terms, when our mission had been accomplished together. With pride and honour."

Son joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. After a tough debut campaign the South Korea captain went on to become one of the club's best ever players and made himself a Premier League great in the process.

Alongside old partner in crime Harry Kane, Son holds the record for the most goal involvements by a duo in the Premier League, with the pair assisting each other on a record 47 occasions in the competition.

The Chuncheon-born attacker also won the league's Golden Boot award in the 2021-22 season after scoring 23 times and he sits 17th in the list of all-time scorers in the division with 127 goals.

Under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, Son's consistent displays helped turn Tottenham into genuine title contenders but silverware continued to allude them after a second-placed finish in 2017 was followed by a Champions League runner-up spot two years later.

Whilst various members of Pochettino's team left not long after the Argentinian's winter departure in 2019, Son stayed to work under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte before he was tasked with leading a new era by Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou named Son as his captain in the wake of Kane's high-profile switch to Bayern Munich and Hugo Lloris' departure from the first team and after a roller coaster two seasons under the Australian, they achieved the holy grail together on May 21.

Son was consigned to a place on the bench in Bilbao for the Europa League final against Manchester United following an injury-affected campaign, but was introduced to make his final competitive appearance for Spurs to help them win 1-0 and end a 17-year wait for silverware.

It etched Son's name into the history books as he became only the fourth captain in Spurs' history to lift a European trophy after Danny Blanchflower, Alan Mullery and Steve Perryman.

The popular South Korean will renew acquaintances with Lloris and move to Los Angeles, which boasts one of the largest Korean populations in the world, ahead of next summer's World Cup in the United States.

Jurgen Klopp previously proved how much of a fan he was of Rodrygo during his time at Liverpool. The Real Madrid winger – who is reportedly being touted as Son Heung-min's potential replacement at Tottenham Hotspur – was a highly-rated prospect whilst at Santos.

Determined to make the Brazilian a Red, the former Liverpool boss travelled to South America on an 11-hour flight to personally meet the then-16-year-old, according to forward's agent, Nick Arcuri. It was in 2020 when Arcuri claimed the Merseyside side were the first Premier League side to make an approach for Rodrygo with Klopp going the extra mile to seal the deal.

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Speaking on a live YouTube chat, Arcuri said: "When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos, aged 16, a Liverpool director called me saying that Klopp already knew the player, had seen the material, had already come to see Rodrygo personally.

"He had gone on YouTube, searched ‘talents from Brazil’, Rodrygo had appeared and he was very young. He came to Brazil, and liked him. They contacted me, the Liverpool director wanted him to be his first signing, Rodrygo. I went to England, sat in London, Liverpool have an office in London. I brought the proposal to Modesto [Roma Junior], then president of Santos.

"Modesto didn’t accept. It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead made the first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal, he was 16 and it was Liverpool."

A move to Anfield never came to fruition, however, with the Brazilian opting to sign for Madrid in 2019 for a fee of £39million.

While the winger, 24, has enjoyed an immensely successful career in Spain with three La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies and a plethora of other honours to his name, his influence on the pitch last season suffered due to the attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.

His decline in action has resulted in speculation linking him away with a move to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. However, Spurs have now been entered into the rumour mill with AS reporting that the Europa League champions are targeting his signature as a replacement for Son, who is expected to join LAFC after announcing his intention to leave Spurs on Saturday.

The north London side have already signed a wide player this summer after spending £55m on Mohammed Kudus, but it was only seven months prior that they were looking to sign another player liked by Klopp, after they battled to lure Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

Spurs were engaged in discussions to sign the Frenchman on loan in January but he instead opted to choose spending the rest of the season at Juventus, where he netted 10 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.

It was during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt that Sky Germany reported that the striker rejected the opportunity to join Klopp at Liverpool in what would have been a club-record £88m deal.

He instead remained in the Bundesliga before returning to his homeland in a £76m deal to sign for PSG but has only scored 11 goals in 54 games for the French champions. After returning to form in Italy, the Serie A giants are looking to sign him permanently but could face competition once again from Spurs who'll need to fill the gap left by the South Korean icon.

Arsenal could allow Tottenham to steal a march in the transfer tussle for Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze as the Gunners are said to be reluctant to meet the player’s £68million release clause. The 27-year-old is attracting interest from a number of clubs this summer after starring for the Eagles last season.

Eze joined Palace from QPR in 2020 and has gone on to contribute 40 goals and 28 assists in 167 appearances for the south London club. Last season he bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions and even popped up with the only goal of the game as Palace stunned Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

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According to talkSPORT, Arsenal don’t intend to trigger Eze’s release clause, despite the fact they have already held talks with the player.

And that decision could play into the hands of Tottenham as the Lilywhites could decide to stump up the cash Palace are after to put themselves in the driving seat to land the England international.

Spurs have been linked with Eze this summer after appointing Thomas Frank as their new manager in June.

And the Dane may convince Spurs chiefs to splash the cash on Eze, despite the fact the club have already signed winger Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

Despite their hesitancy when it comes to Eze’s release clause, Arsenal are still keen to prise the player away from Selhurst Park and may attempt to agree a lower transfer fee in exchange for his services.

The Gunners don’t expect personal terms to be a problem and remain confident of signing the talented ace.

Eze, meanwhile, is said to be sold on a transfer to the Emirates Stadium and is excited about the opportunity to play in a No. 10 role if he does link up with the Gunners.

Last week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was asked whether the club needed more players this summer after already landing Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard.

And the Spaniard replied: “I said that I was extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we’ve been.

“There’s still a long period with the window open. So far, we are very happy with what we have achieved. Make sure that at the end of the window, we continue to be super happy.”

Meanwhile, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has told his bosses at Palace to keep hold of Eze after explaining at the end of last month: “As of now, I have 17 outfield players. I hope we don't lose any more.”

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly setting their sights on a player who nearly joined Liverpool and Manchester United, as they prepare to fill the void left by Son Heung-Min. The iconic Spurs forward shocked fans with his announcement on Saturday that he has decided to depart north London. The South Korean forward revealed his plans during Spurs' pre-season tour of his homeland, leaving a significant hole in Thomas Frank's attacking line-up.

Despite his disappointment at the news, the Danish manager is now swiftly shifting his focus on strengthening his frontline, with Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani rumoured to be his top target. The French international piqued Spurs' interest back in January, but spent the latter half of last season on loan at Juventus. He has also attracted attention from numerous clubs in the past, notably Liverpool and United, while Chelsea have also been linked with the star.

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In January 2023, Sky Germany reported that Kolo Muani chose not to join Jurgen Klopp at Anfield in what was speculated to be an £88 million deal. Instead, the striker opted to remain at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Kolo Muani stated that he felt comfortable at the Bundesliga club. However, after scoring an impressive 26 goals in just 50 matches for Frankfurt, Muani was snapped up by PSG for £76.2m in September of that year.

The 26-year-old could have also secured a move to the Premier League through Old Trafford. According to The Athletic, Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund were Manchester United's primary striking targets in 2023, though the latter's youth, characteristics, and marginally lower fee ultimately swayed the Red Devils' decision.

However, he left United red-faced as they were forced to revive their interest in him back in January after Hojlund struggled for goals. Despite their interest, Muani joined Juventus on loan, instead.

Kolo Muani had made a decent start to his career at PSG after picking them over Liverpool, featuring from the start on 40 occasions while netting nine goals.

However, he found game time limited last season, finding the net twice across 10 Ligue 1 outings, prompting a loan switch to Juventus.

He flourished in Serie A, scoring eight times in 16 games and registering one assist. His form was so impressive that Juventus are in for him again, but face stern competition from Spurs.

No offers have been lodged yet, but both teams are looking to get a deal over the line. If Spurs are the team to finally bring him to the Premier League, the Frenchman will have big shoes to fill in replacing Son.

The iconic South Korean was signed Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has gone on to score 173 goals in over 450 appearances for Spurs, eventually helping them win the Europa League last season.

Speaking of his decision, Son 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.

"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."

Son refused to comment on his next destination. MLS side LAFC appear to be leading the race for his signature while there is also interest in the player from Saudi Arabia.

Tottenham will not stand in Son Heung-min’s way if their captain decides to leave this summer, according to reports. A deal for the forward to end a successful decade in North London and join MLS outfit Los Angeles FC is reportedly advancing.

Son has interest from North America and Saudi Arabia, but would reportedly be more open to a switch to the former. Despite winning the Europa League, the 33-year-old endured a frustrating year at Spurs last term, prompting a sense that he could seek an emotional departure 10 years after his arrival. Only a year remains on Son’s contract after Spurs used their option in January to extend his deal by 12 months. LAFC are reportedly hoping to conclude a move this summer.

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According to Give Me Sport, Spurs will not block a departure if Son decides to leave this summer. However, it is claimed that they would also be open to allowing the South Korea international to leave as a free agent in a year’s time.

Son is not expected to decide his future until after Spurs’ tour of his homeland this summer. Reports have claimed that he has a ‘key player’ clause in his contract, meaning the North Londoners could miss out on significant revenue if he is not part of their squad for matches against Arsenal and Newcastle in South Korea.

LAFC are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Son and club officials believe they can conclude a deal with Spurs later in the summer.

The report claims that Son will discuss his future with new Spurs boss Thomas Frank after that trip. He wants to know what role he will play in Frank’s plans, and how many minutes he will earn over the course of the season.

Injuries and a loss of form hindered Son last season. Ange Postecoglou often turned to other starters in the second half of the campaign, and Frank may do similar after the club completed permanent deals for Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus. Son played only 23 minutes in Spurs’ Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

Son could now leave Spurs after finally landing a trophy. He accepted the ‘legend’ label after playing a role against United. He told TNT Sport: "Let's say I'm a legend. Why not? Only today! Seventeen years nobody has done it, so with such amazing players yeah today's the day. Probably today I will say I'm a legend of this club.

"I feel amazing. This is what I've always dreamed for and today is the day it happened. Dream came really, really true. I'm so so happy. I am the happiest man in the world."

Tottenham have reportedly received an offer for star forward Son Heung-min and are preparing to rival Arsenal for Joao Palhinha. Spurs’ summer plans are set to intensify after they completed a blockbuster £55million move for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

MLS club Los Angeles FC are said to have submitted a bid for Spurs captain Son. However, a move is complicated by the financial rewards of the North Londoners' pre-season trip to South Korea. The 33-year-old reportedly has a 'key player clause', meaning Spurs could lose up an eye-watering 75 per cent of their income from the tour if Son is not part of their squad. A 134-cap South Korea international, the winger is a huge draw for fans in his homeland, where Spurs often spend their pre-season campaigns.

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According to the Telegraph, that clause is likely to delay any resolution of Son's future until Spurs return from Asia in the first week of August. A difficult 2024-25 campaign left doubts over how long he might remain at a club where he is about to enter a 10th year.

Son's minutes in the second half of the campaign were partially limited by a foot injury. However, he was not always considered a starter by Ange Postecoglou and he played only 23 minutes of Spurs' Europa League final victory over Manchester United. Spurs decided to take up their option of a one-year contract extension, but Son will be free to leave next summer.

Meanwhile, the same report claims that Spurs are rivalling Arsenal in a deal to sign former Fulham midfielder Palhinha from Bayern Munich. The Portugal international has been linked with an exit from the Bavarian club just a year after completing a £42m switch.

Palhinha made only 17 Bundesliga appearances last season and has been linked with an immediate return to the Premier League. Arsenal are widely understood to be keen on a potential move even after signing defensive midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

Spurs are reportedly actively 'working on' a move for the 30-year-old. Should he join Thomas Frank's side, he would become the first outfield player aged 30 or over to join Spurs since Fernando Llorente in 2017.

His potential transfer would mark a shift from a policy of signing much younger players and could hint at an acceptance that the squad inherited by Frank is in dire need of experience and know-how. Spurs signed five teenagers last season, with Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray impressing in the Premier League and Europa League.

Spurs have already been very busy this summer. Loan deals for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have been made permanent, while Kudus was signed from West Ham to bolster the club's attacking options.