'Doesn't the captain of the Republic of Korea know in two years?Son Heung-min appears to be heading to the Middle East despite his endless refusal to sign a contract in Saudi Arabia

Jul 20, 2024

Saudi Arabia's interest in Tottenham captain Son Heung-min continues. Team Talk in England reported on the 19th (Korea time) 'Son Heung-min, who is already 32 years old, can play for Tottenham for two more seasons before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2026 and signing a major contract for the last time' However, the British Spurs Web reported that `Son Heung-min is unlikely to leave the team even though he is receiving attention this summer.' Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is drawing keen attention from Saudi clubs seeking to recruit stars this summer, but according to the news, he has made it clear that he will remain at Tottenham. Tottenham expressed Son's willingness to stay, explaining that despite Saudi Arabia's ambitious ambitions, the captain is unlikely to be sent this summer. Photo =Score90 Capture

Saudi Arabia's interest in Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has continued.

Team Talk in England reported on the 19th (Korea time) 'Son Heung-min, who is already 32 years old, can play for Tottenham for two more seasons before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2026 and signing a major contract for the last time'

Son Heung-min has already been tempted by Saudi Arabia since last summer. Saudi Arabia has consistently offered Son Heung-min a courting hand. Rumors about the Middle East have been steadily appearing since last summer, drawing great attention. At the time, England's Football Insider said Tottenham would not accept any offers for Son. Son Heung-min explained Saudi Arabia's interest and Tottenham's attitude, saying, 'I'm connecting with Saudi clubs.

At the time, British media reported that Son Heung-min was named the top target of the Saudi club this summer, and contact and plans are underway to bring Son Heung-min after this season. 'I don't know how everything will change, but Saudi Arabia's interest seemed to be successful and reportedly handed over an annual salary offer of 25 million pounds (about 42 billion won)."

News has appeared steadily in recent years. British media say `RETHAD sees Salah as its main target. However, Salah's transfer is not progressing at the desired pace. RT Hard began looking for alternatives, and Son Heung-min was on the recruitment list. Although he has not contacted Son Heung-min yet, it is reported that if Salah's transfer does not speed up, he will start negotiations with Son on a transfer to Saudi Arabia.

However, Son Heung-min steadily drew the line on the transfer rumors and expressed his willingness to stay at Tottenham. Even after the match against China in the second Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in June, he clearly drew a line, expressing his honest feelings about the transfer rumor.

Regarding the transfer rumors, Son Heung-min said, `I don't have much to say yet. He confessed his honest feelings, saying, "It's true that it's uncomfortable to go out with such a malfunction in a situation where there's no talk of going back and forth with the club." He then showed his affection for Tottenham. He said "I'm always doing my best for Tottenham, and I'll continue to do my best. He has always said that he wants to deliver something to Tottenham. I want to keep it because it's a promise I made with my fans as well as myself. I don't think we're in a situation where we're talking about a contract right now."

Team Talk also said, `The Saudis ideally wanted to sign him last summer and close to his prime this summer, but Son Heung-min decided to end the championship drought before leaving Tottenham.'

The British Spurs Web also said, `Son Heung-min is unlikely to leave the team even though he is receiving attention this summer.' Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is drawing keen attention from Saudi clubs seeking to recruit stars this summer, but according to the news, he has made it clear that he will stay at Tottenham. Tottenham expressed Son's willingness to stay, explaining that despite Saudi Arabia's ambitious ambitions, the captain is unlikely to be sent this summer.

In the end, this transfer theory seems to be simply Saudi Arabia's interest. Whether Son Heung-min will really consider going to Saudi Arabia in two years doesn't seem very likely at the moment.

However, some argued that Tottenham had activated a one-year extension option to sell Son Heung-min's contract to Saudi Arabia.

England's Football Insider said, `Tottenham will be guaranteed to receive a large transfer fee to Son Heung-min by invoking the contract extension clause.' Former Tottenham defender Alan Hutton said it made no sense for Tottenham to allow his contract to expire. Son Heung-min admitted that he refused to move to the Middle East last summer. Hutton claimed that Tottenham could be placed in a position to maximize Son's value in future sales if they activate the option to extend Son Heung-min.

Hutton appeared to have put a clause in the contract to protect him, according to Football Insider. They will invoke the option, and get two seasons. And if anyone tries to recruit Son during that period, Tottenham will be able to receive an amount that would recognize Son's value. Son Heung-min said, "I still have a lot to give as a striker or winger."

Considering Son Heung-min's position at Tottenham and his loyalty, which rejected Saudi Arabia's huge offer last summer, Tottenham's position is all the more regrettable.

Son Heung-min scored 17 goals and 10 assists in the league this season, showing his best performance with the most goals and most assists in the team. He also set several records, including 400 Tottenham games and 120th English Premier League (EPL) goals. He also turned down Saudi Arabia's attempt by handing over a whopping 25 million pounds (about 42 billion won) salary offer to bring Son Heung-min, saying, `If I wanted to go to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be here. I like to play soccer. Money is important, but my dream is to play in the Premier League."

Meanwhile, if Tottenham plans to sell Son Heung-min through the option to extend the contract, the long-term contract, which was originally expected, may not be renewed. On the other hand, if the contract is renewed after the extension option is invoked, it is expected that the hidden intention of invoking the extension option will depend on whether Son Heung-min and Tottenham renew their contracts.

For Tottenham, it may have triggered the option to extend the contract to proceed with the renewal negotiations with Son Heung-min in a relatively stable state. Although Son Heung-min, the club's core and spiritual leader, is already scheduled to negotiate re-signing, it can also be seen as a strategy to increase the stability of Son Heung-min to prevent cases such as Harry Kane last summer.

Spursweb said 'Tottenham will activate the option of extending Son's current contract for another year. Son Heung-min is an indispensable part of Tottenham's project and has also been named captain. There is no indication Son will leave this summer, but he had only one year left on his contract. Tottenham have now said they will invoke a one-year extension option. However, over the past few months, there have been reports that Tottenham will offer Son a long-term contract and that they are confident in signing.

Tottenham seems to have activated the extension option to enter contract renewal negotiations with Son Heung-min in a more advantageous position, explaining that Tottenham was choosing to enter long-term contract renewal negotiations in terms of its advantage over the player.

In addition, there are still many predictions that Son Heung-min's last club will be Tottenham. England's Give Me Sports has already received news in June that will ease Tottenham fans' concerns. Son Heung-min insisted that there is no possibility of leaving Tottenham this summer even though he is nearing the final year of his contract. Son Heung-min explained that he plans to stay at Tottenham next season and beyond, and that it is possible for him to eventually retire from Tottenham. As a Tottenham legend, his legacy will surely remain.

With Son Heung-min's contract, Saudi interest in his situation is growing. However, the possibility of Son Heung-min heading to Saudi Arabia does not seem to be great immediately for some arguments.

digh1229@sportschosun.com