PSG? Saudi Arabia? Despite Tottenham's harsh treatment, Son Heung-min's 'single mind' and 獨 expert 'Son Heung-min wants to stay'...a year's extension is certain

Nov 18, 2024

He was so loyal that he cried a lot.

In Son Heung-min's mind, Tottenham was the only one. Florian Flettenberg of the German version of Sky Sports on the 17th (Korea time) posted on his SNS, "'Son Heung-min is likely to stay at Tottenham for another year. Tottenham are expected to trigger an option to extend their contract until 2026. It's almost decided now. The 32-year-old world-class winger also wants to stay at Tottenham.

Along with Fabrizio Romano, Flettenberg is considered to be a highly trusted reporter in the European transfer market. In particular, it is familiar to Korean fans by directly reporting Kim Min-jae's trip to Bayern Munich.

On the same day, England's cutoff side also reported that Tottenham legend Son Heung-min is expected to remain with the club after next summer.

Son Heung-min's future seems to end with the implementation of a one-year extension option. Earlier, there was even a 'HERE WE GO official'. On the 13th, Fabrizio Romano, who is considered the most prestigious player in the European transfer market, said on his SNS that `Tottenham has begun activating options to extend Son Heung-min's existing contract until 2026.'

On the 4th, the British Telegraph said 「Tottenham will soon issue an option to extend Son Heung-min's one-year contract」. Tottenham then signed Son Heung-min's last contract (four years) in July 2021, and the club reportedly has the option to extend the contract for another year. 'Tottenham only needs to let Son know that it is exercising its option to extend the contract. Both Tottenham and Son Heung-min agree to activate the option.

The Daily Mail reported on the 6th that `Tottenham will extend Son Heung-min's one-year contract and maintain the contract after the end of the season.' "Son Heung-min's existing contract is set to expire in June, and Tottenham are trying to avoid the risk of rival clubs leaving for the FA in January by talking to him," it said. TBR Football reported that `Tottenham said they have no plans to discuss a new contract with Son Heung-min.' Then 'Son Heung-min was shocked by the club's decision. The club negotiated re-signing with Son Heung-min and his camp, and although the two sides agreed, it appears that the club has suddenly changed its attitude.

Tottenham appear hesitant to offer Son Heung-min, who will turn 33 next year, an additional contract. In addition, Son has been suffering from frequent injuries in recent years. Son Heung-min, who is in his mid-30s after 2026, seems not sure about his physical condition. In the end, the conclusion was a one-year extension.

Son's future was 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 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.

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. England's Football Transfer reported that `Tottenham has made a decision on Son'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.

사진=Action Images via Reuters-REUTER Yonhap News

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.'

British sports malls reported similarly. 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 attends Tottenham fan forum event "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..."

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.

But recently, once again, the trip to Saudi Arabia has caught fire. Team Talk in the U.K. on the 13th is 'Son Heung-min is drawing attention from Saudi teams. Son Heung-min, along with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, was the top recruitment player for Saudi teams, adding, `Son Heung-min was angry that Tottenham did not sign him an extension, and the Saudi teams noticed it.' Then 'Son Heung-min has been Tottenham's most famous player for the past few seasons. In particular, after Harry Kane's departure, he played as the best player in Tottenham ' However, it was recently reported that Tottenham would not offer Son Heung-min a new extension contract. In fact, Son Heung-min says he is not satisfied with the current situation. Now Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will have to find a new star. Son Heung-min's anger could lead to the choice of moving to Saudi Arabia.

Not only Saudi Arabia but also Spain is known to be interested in Son Heung-min. Rumors of a transfer to Atletico Madrid have emerged. Spain's Pichahes reports that `Atletico Madrid are interested in Son Heung-min.' Pichahes said 'Atletico were one of the busiest teams in the transfer market last summer. Atletico, which brought Julián Álvarez and others, are continuing to work to strengthen the squad. With several names coming to mind, the most noticeable player is Son Heung-min.

At the same time, he even presented specific circumstances that there had already been contact with non-public officials. Pichahes said 'A contact was made between Atletico and Son Heung-min's agent. We had an informal conversation. Finally, Pichahes said, `Son Heung-min has turned 32 years old, but he is still performing well at the highest level.' Above all, his contract term ends in 2025. Son Heung-min has not been able to sign a contract extension with Tottenham so far. Son is attracting attention from Saudi Arabia, but he wants to stay in Europe.

Barcelona also jumped into the race to recruit Son Heung-min. Spain 'Catalunya Radio' said Barcelona is considering the option of signing Son Heung-min as a free agent next summer' "There is nothing on the table yet, but coach Han Ji-flick will see Son Heung-min's recruitment positively," he said.

Paris Saint-Germain added to this. On the 16th, Team Talk in England said, `If Tottenham fails to advance to the Champions League, Tottenham is likely to sell Son Heung-min in the transfer market next summer.' Paris Saint-Germain, a big French club, has been watching Son for a long time. Paris Saint-Germain have made plans to recruit Son Heung-min before.

Photo capture=더선

Of course, the premise is a one-year extension. Team Talk reported that Tottenham has no intention of signing a contract after already invoking a one-year extension option to Son Heung-min's camp. The 2025-2026 season may be Son Heung-min's last season at Tottenham. Son Heung-min will finish his career at Tottenham and remain one of the greatest players in Tottenham's history.

Paris Saint-Germain is the great place in French football that needs no explanation. Winning the league every year is an off-putting idea. He has won eight championships over the past decade and has won two runner-ups. He also consistently lifts the League Cup and FA Cup. It has yet to win the much-cherished European Champions League, but the investment continues. Paris Saint-Germain have recently reorganized their teams. Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who were symbols of Paris Saint-Germain's ambitions, are leaving the team one after another, forming a team centered on young players. At the center is Lee Kang-in, who left Mallorca last summer and wore a Paris Saint-Germain uniform. Lee Kang-in is performing best, playing from midfielders to left and right wings to zero-top.

However, there is still a thirst for Mbappe-level scoring ability. If it is a resource with proven scoring ability, such as Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, it does not matter about age. This is the background of Son Heung-min's connection to the transfer rumor. In addition, Paris Saint-Germain has enjoyed recruiting icon players such as David Beckham in the past. Son Heung-min is an Asian hero and is an opportunity to further enhance Paris Saint-Germain's brand. As Lee Kang-in has already confirmed the heat of the Korean market, Son Heung-min can be recruited.

Despite such a number of love calls, Son Heung-min is single-minded. For now, a one-year extension is certain.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com