1 year extension = re-contract test, does this make sense? Tottenham without foundation, testing Son Heung-min for 10 years of dedication?

Dec 24, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur's rudeness went too far.

No matter how cold the world of business is, this cannot be done to Son Heung-min (32), who has devoted himself to the team for 10 years and has performed 'legendary'. He is almost insulting Son Heung-min because of his business. While it is almost certain to invoke the "1 year contract extension option", it is expected that this option will eventually test Son Heung-min or sell him for a transfer fee.

Son Heung-min, who left Leverkusen in Germany to join Tottenham in 2015, has been renewing his contract and playing 10 seasons so far this year. The contract expires in June next year after the 2024-2025 season ends. So far, Son Heung-min has grown into a key striker in the team and a winger representing the EPL.

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He also played with Harry Kane, who was the team's symbol, and 'EPL's strongest duo'. Together, the two appeared in a total of 297 games and combined for 54 goals, scoring 1.78 goals per game. In particular, he scored 47 goals on the EPL stage, surpassing the 36 goals previously made by Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba during his time at Chelsea, and achieved the record of the most joint goals in the EPL.

Son Heung-min's personal record is also overwhelming. Son Heung-min, who has been in charge of the team's 'captain' since last season, became the first Asian player to become the top scorer in the EPL in the 2021-2022 season, and scored one goal and two assists against Southampton in the last 16th round, setting a new record (68) for Tottenham's individual help. It has been a typical 'Team Legend' move.

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However, the Tottenham club does not care at all about such respect for Son Heung-min. It is treated only as a thorough contractual relationship. It's no different from other players. As a result, the contract is about to expire, and even when the 10-year relationship ends, they don't care at all.

Initially, most local media in the UK have been paying attention to Son Heung-min and Tottenham's contractual relationship since the end of last season. Most of these media predicted that Tottenham will offer Son Heung-min an extension of the contract before the 2024-2025 season enters. It was based on the way ordinary big clubs treat players who have built Son Heung-min-class records and careers.

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But Tottenham were different from the 'general club'. Honorable treatment of Legend or recognition of his dedication so far is not an important value for Tottenham and its chairman Daniel Levy. Only values such as 'profitability' and 'cost ratio' are considered important.

They eventually judged that Son Heung-min's physical and skills, who entered his 30s, would gradually decline. So I didn't offer Son Heung-min an extension of the contract. Instead, it tries to trigger the 'one-year extension option' that was on the existing contract.

Give Me Sports in the U.K. exclusively revealed what Fabrizio Romano, an expert in the European transfer market, said about Son Heung-min's contract on the 23rd (Korea time). Romano added 'Tottenham is still expected to trigger a one-year extension and keep Son Heung-min until 2026. 'This part is always important, so it is the atmosphere inside Tottenham that we have been waiting for official action since October.'"

In the end, Son Heung-min is expected to play in Tottenham's uniform until the summer of 2026.

Some see this as the starting point of the 「Tottenham Life Contract」.

After gaining time to negotiate by extending the contract by one year, they calmly reach an agreement on a multi-year contract for two to three years. If they agree to renew the contract for two years, it will be until the summer of 2028. Son Heung-min is turning 36 years old. If the period is extended to three years, the contract will be terminated at the age of 37. The scenario is that Son Heung-min can naturally play for Tottenham until his mid-to-late 30s and end his active career.

However, this scenario includes a very humiliating situation. In other words, Son Heung-min needs to prove his value in the 2025-2026 season, a one-year extension season, in order to get a contract renewal from Tottenham, whether it is two or three years. Tottenham is in a thorough 'A' position. If Son Heung-min's performance in the 2025-2026 season is not good or even if he is injured, Tottenham will certainly sell it without mercy.

The prestigious British media Times is paying attention to this point. The Times reported on the 22nd that `If the Tottenham club does not renew the contract with Son Heung-min, it may sell him for a transfer fee.' The media is driving Tottenham to a situation where it is gradually becoming an FA as it continues to remain silent and unanswered about Son Heung-min's request for renewal. Son Heung-min explained, "As we may get an attractive offer in the European market, profitable transactions will be possible in the future."

In the end, Tottenham will be able to extend its one-year contract by freezing its current weekly salary without additional expenses, and will slowly test Son Heung-min next season to decide whether to renew the contract. All the initiatives are with Tottenham, not Son Heung-min. If Son Heung-min's skills do not meet the re-signing standard, he can try to sell it for a transfer fee at any time. For Tottenham, Son Heung-min is only a 'product' and 'dragon' from start to finish.

Reporter Lee Won-man wman@sportschosun.com

wman@sportschosun.com