'No wage increase → £50 million sale' Shock SON One-year extension scenario confusion 'You saw chairman Levi's skill!'

Nov 07, 2024

사진=REUTERS Yonhap News

사진=AP-PA Yonhap News

There was a possibility that Tottenham could sell Son Heung-min for £50 million.

Tottenham News, which mainly reports about Tottenham, reported on the 7th (Korean time) 'Brian King former Tottenham scout insisted that European teams pay Son Heung-min £50 million'

Earlier, the British media Telegraph reported that Tottenham will soon issue an option to extend Son's one-year contract. Tottenham signed Son Heung-min to his last contract (four years) in July 2021, with the club reportedly having the option to extend his contract for another year, it said. The media outlet said, "'Tottenham only needs to let Son know that they are exercising their option to extend their contract. Both Tottenham and Son Heung-min agree to activate the option. If the option is activated, Son Heung-min will spend 10 years with Tottenham since joining in 2015. The recruitment of Son Heung-min is considered one of Tottenham's best achievements in the history of the transfer market.

Photo = AFP Yonhap News

It's shocking news. He left Leverkusen (Germany) and joined Tottenham through the transfer market in the summer of 2015. His ransom was €30 million at the time. It was the highest transfer fee ever for an Asian player. Son Heung-min has been active since the 2016-2017 season after going through the adaptation period. Dele Alli (D), Christian Eriksen (E), Son Heung-min (S), and Harry Kane (K) have been established. Son Heung-min played a key role in Tottenham's attack with his fast feet and strong shots. He scored double-digit points for eight consecutive seasons from the 2016-2017 season. Since the launch of the EPL in 1992, only seven players have scored 10 or more goals for eight consecutive seasons. It is a record that only has legends such as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry (retired), Sadio Mane (Liverpool) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich). In particular, Son Heung-min scored 23 goals in the league in the 2021-2022 season, becoming Asia's first EPL top scorer. He was 100% pure top scorer with no penalty kick points.

His performance continued. Son Heung-min also left 17 goals and 10 assists in the league in the 2023-2024 season. Once again, I joined '10 (goal)-10 (help) club'. He became the first Asian player to achieve EPL 10-10 (11 goals-10 assists) in the 2019-2020 season. After the 2020-2021 season (17 goals-10 assists), he was listed as the third 10-10 in his career. According to statistics company Squaka, only six players, including Son Heung-min, recorded 10-10 on the EPL stage more than three times.

사진=AP-PA Yonhap News

Tottenham news reports 'Tottenham plans to trigger a one-year extension option for Son Heung-min. King thinks this is a reasonable decision. "As long as Son is under contract, Tottenham can still make money," King said. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) moved one year before the end of his contract. Left for £100 million. There will be many teams in Europe who will pay at least £50m for Son. I think it's a good step to bring stability to his and his fans' hearts."

The media knew how excellent Chairman Daniel Levy's negotiating skills were when Kane left the team. Tottenham does not want Son to be released as a free agent. Europe, even Saudi Arabia, could offer 50 million pounds to recruit Son Heung-min, it added.

Earlier, another British media outlet, Give Me Sports, wrote that `Tottenham wants to avoid a big wage increase. Instead of renewing the contract, Son will be offered a one-year extension option. It is based on the decision that it is more financially reasonable. Son is currently receiving £190,000 a week. Tottenham could end fears he could leave for FA by signing Son Heung-min for a one-year extension.

사진=Action Images via Reuters-REUTER Yonhap News

사진=REUTERS Yonhap News

While Son Heung-min's future is drawing attention, rumors of a transfer are also constantly being raised. Earlier, Son Heung-min is known to be receiving attention from the Saudi Arabian League. Hotspur HQ, which mainly delivers news from Tottenham, said 'Tottenham has the option to extend Son's contract until 2026. When Son Heung-min turns 33, Tottenham will have to make a decision if a great proposal comes in during the Saudi Arabian League.

Rumors of a transfer to Atletico Madrid (Spain) followed. Spanish media outlet Pichahes reported 'Atletico Madrid is interested in Son Heung-min. Atletico continue to work to strengthen their squad. With several names coming to mind, Son Heung-min is the most prominent player. Contact was made between Atletico Madrid and Son Heung-min's representative. We had an informal conversation. He is still performing at the highest level as ever. Son Heung-min is in Saudi Arabia's interest, but he wants to stay in Europe'

It's not the end. FC Barcelona also entered the race to recruit Son Heung-min. Spanish media Catalonia Radio reported 'FC Barcelona is considering the option of signing Son Heung-min as a free agent next summer. There's nothing on the table yet, but coach Han Ji-flick said, 'We will see Son Heung-min's recruitment positively.

epi17@sportschosun.com