Ten-year commitment → Captain 'Living Legend' Is this only treatment for Son Heung-min, 'Shock' Tottenham will be extended for one year

Nov 06, 2024

사진=Action Images via Reuters-REUTER Yonhap News

Was the treatment of a 10-year commitment just an extension of one year. It's a shock. Tottenham is reportedly considering extending his one-year contract with Son Heung-min 'Captain'.

The British press Telegraph reported on the 5th (Korea time) '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, the report said.

Son Heung-min is Tottenham's 'living legend' and 'progressive legend'. He left Leverkusen (Germany) and joined Tottenham through the transfer window 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.

In addition, Son Heung-min set a record of 400 appearances in the league's away game against West Ham on April 3. It is the 14th record in Tottenham's history. He is the first non-European player. The best in this category is 854 games for Steve Perryman, who played for Tottenham from 1969 to 1986. In the 21st century, Hugo Lloris (447 games) and Kane (435 games) are the only players who have played more than 400 games. Earlier, British media Give Me Sports selected Son Heung-min as the No. 1 winger who played for Tottenham.

Photo = AFP Yonhap News

There is an issue of renewal. Son Heung-min renewed his contract in July 2018 and extended his contract until 2023. He will play until 2025, renewing his contract for the second time in July 2021. Son Heung-min's contract with Tottenham ends after the 2024-2025 season. Fans paid attention to whether to renew the contract, but Tottenham remained silent. At a press conference ahead of the first game of the Europa League (UEL) phase against Karabakh in September, Son Heung-min was asked about renewing his contract and gave a principled answer, "'I will do my best for the rest of the contract.'"

In this situation, local media in the UK have consistently predicted that Tottenham will only use the option of extending the contract instead of renewing the contract with Son Heung-min since May. In the end, the Telegraph said, `Tottenham just 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. Local media analyze that invoking a one-year contract extension option is a realistic option rather than a long-term contract renewal that is burdensome for Tottenham, which has to consider Son Heung-min's aging curve, born in 1992.

Photo = AFP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, while Son Heung-min's future is drawing attention, rumors of a transfer are steadily 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