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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Both Son Heung-min and Tottenham are at a crossroads.
Son Heung-min's current future is a hot potato. Son Heung-min's contract with Tottenham expires next summer. Initially, Tottenham is expected to offer Son Heung-min a long-term contract renewal. There have been constant talks about renewing contracts around Christmas last year. As Son Heung-min also loves Tottenham, the contract is expected to be renewed without difficulty. But the tide has changed.
The Athletic said, `Son Heung-min is still an integral part of the team. Tottenham will invoke the option of a one-year extension to keep him tied to the club until 2026' Another British media outlet, 90min 'Tottenham will enter the final year of Son's contract. It said it would invoke an option to extend this to 2026' As news of the renewal of the contract was delayed, there were even talks that Fenerbahce, a prestigious Turkiye who was newly appointed by Jose Mourinho in the winter transfer market, wanted Son Heung-min. Chairman Daniel Levy came forward to deal with it, but news of Son Heung-min's renewal is still not heard. Son Heung-min attended a press conference ahead of the Europa League against Karabakh FK and was asked about renewing his contract, saying, `We haven't said anything yet," he said. Considering that Son Heung-min's contract with Tottenham expires next summer and the contract period is about nine months away, it is shocking news.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min is second to none as Tottenham's 'Living Legend'. Son Heung-min left Leverkusen for 30 million euros, the highest transfer fee ever for an Asian player, and joined Tottenham in the summer of 2015. Son Heung-min, who had some ups and downs in the 2015-2016 season, which was his first season, has been active since the 2016-2017 season. Son Heung-min, who built the DESK line with Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Christian Eriksen, played a key role in Tottenham's attack with his unique fast speed and strong shots. From the 2016-2017 season to the last season, he scored double-digit points for eight consecutive seasons. Since the launch of the EPL in 1992, only seven players have scored 10 or more goals for eight consecutive seasons. In the 2021-2022 season, he scored 23 goals and became Asia's first EPL top scorer. He was 100% pure top scorer with no penalty kick points. "'Legend' Lee Young-pyo even said that "achievement at the level of man landing on the moon".
Son Heung-min was also active last season. He scored 17 goals and 10 assists, and succeeded in 10 goals and 10 assists. Son Heung-min, who achieved EPL 10-10 (11 goals-10 assists) for the first time as an Asian player in the 2019-2020 season, ranked 10-10 for the third time after the 2020-2021 season (17 goals-10 assists). Son Heung-min has risen to the ranks of EPL legends in name and reality. Shouldered Didier Drogba, Lampard, Cantona, Rooney and Mohamed Salah. "Only six players, including Son Heung-min, have scored 10 goals and 10 assists on the EPL stage more than three times," said Squaka, a statistics company. "Sonny (Son Heung-min) is on the legendary list." Rooney had the most number of 10-10, followed by Cantona and Lampard with four. Drogba and Salah recorded a total of three times.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min deserves to be called a legend even in his consistency. Son Heung-min set a record of 400 appearances in an away match against West Ham on April 3. It is the 14th record in Tottenham's history and the first non-European player. It is one of the best score in all time. Give Me Sports ranked Son Heung-min as the best No. 7 in Tottenham history and the best winger in history.
Recently, the strand has been caught toward the extension of one year. On the 10th (Korea time), England's Football Transfer reported 'Tottenham made a decision on Son Heung-min's contract' Then 'Tottenham is currently focusing on guaranteeing the future of its captain Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min is the best source of income in the team, and his contract is valid until 2025. Son Heung-min also admitted there was no discussion of a new contract yet, but it could be seen that Tottenham will sign a one-year extension to keep him until 2026 and offer it to prevent him from leaving on free agency.
He also said he was looking for a new player. While 17-year-old prospect Mikey Moore has grown rapidly and is highly praised, Tottenham are looking for an experienced winger to compete with Son Heung-min. 'Chairman Daniel Levy's use of the extended contract clause is a key strategy for team stability, and with this approach, fan favorite Son Heung-min is expected to remain a central figure in the team for a while.'
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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British sports malls reported similarly. On the 11th, Son Heung-min is the last survivor of Tottenham's previous representation, and Son Heung-min survived at the old Tottenham. He shows no sign of resting at Tottenham, and he scored 17 goals last season as well. Tottenham are reportedly considering securing his future as a priority. Tottenham are preparing to extend at least one year to keep Son in the team until June 2026, he said.
Tottenham's attitude is a more disappointing treatment for Son Heung-min, who has wanted to remain a club legend. Son Heung-min has shown his strong affection for Tottenham. Son Heung-min recently attended a Tottenham fan forum event, saying, `Do you intend to retire from Tottenham?When asked "You can't imagine how happy I would be at Tottenham"I just want to see you all smile even if one day I leave this club, and I want to see everyone talk about me as a legend" he said. In another interview "I still want to achieve something. It's not up to me to decide whether I'll be the legend of this club. I wouldn't call myself a legend because I still want to win here. That's why I'm committed. I think our future is bright with coach Enze Postecoglou and this club. We must continue to improve."
However, there is still a possibility of renewing the contract. Tottenham reporter Alasdier Gold, a British football London reporter, recently held a question-and-answer session with fans, and one fan asked Gold, "'Do you think Tottenham will offer Son Heung-min a new contract soon?' Gold has an option to extend its contract until"2026. This means there is a little more time to work on"I'm sure Tottenham will want Son to be with Son in a predictable future because they value him both on and off the field. Son Heung-min also wants to justify the title of legend in the club. By winning anything..."
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Amid the continued issue of renewal, Son Heung-min is constantly receiving attention from Saudi Arabia. Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min caught Saudi's attention, reported the British newspaper Hotspur HQ. Hotspur HQ said 'Saudi is still considering recruiting Son Heung-min next summer. Son Heung-min is one of five high-profile players on the recruitment list for Saudi clubs, who have said they want to improve their recruitment. The Saudis are looking to sign Son for free, but Tottenham have the option to extend Son's contract until 2026. 'When Son Heung-min turns 33 next summer, Tottenham will have to make a decision if a great offer comes through one of Saudi al-Hilal, al-Nasr, al-Itihad and al-Ahli.'
Then 'However, even then, sales are bound to be crazy. Even though Son Heung-min is in his 30s, he cannot put a price on his love and leadership for the club and fans. His grades are consistent. He scored 17 goals last season and has been showing good performance this season. Son Heung-min seems to be a player whose main motive is not money. All the more so considering the amount he has earned over 14 years. But unprecedented tax-free benefits and living closer to his country could tempt him.'
This is not the first Saudi interest. Saudi's RT Hard showed interest in Son Heung-min in June last year. The transfer fee alone reached $65 million. The annual salary was also enormous. For Son Heung-min, who is nearing the end of his career, it was news that would tempt his ears. But I refused. Son Heung-min said after the A match against El Salvador in June, `If I wanted to go to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be here now (laughs). "I love soccer, money is important, but playing in the Premier League is a dream." "(Ki) Sung-yong also said, "In the past, Korean captains do not go to China." Money doesn't matter to me right now,' he said, dismissing the trip to Saudi Arabia.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Not only Saudi Arabia but also Atletico Madrid are known to be interested in Son Heung-min. What choice Tottenham will make and Son Heung-min's future for now depends on Tottenham's mind.
First of all, Son Heung-min is close to returning. Reporter Paul O'Keeff, who is fluent in Tottenham's internal news, said on his personal SNS on the 11th, `There is positive news for change. Tottenham are hopeful Son Heung-min and Hishalisson will be able to complete their team training with the squad next week and compete for the match against West Ham. Even Wilson O'Dowbert could return to training," he said. Son Heung-min, who injured his hamstring in the Europa League against Karabakh on the 27th of last month, was listed as injured. Son Heung-min, who has not joined the national team and has been recovering, is expected to play in the English Premier League (EPL) against West Ham on the 19th at the earliest.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
