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| photo source=Tottenham SNS |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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The long and long saga has finally been completed. The bottom line was, as expected, a one-year extension.
Tottenham officially announced on the club's website on the 7th (Korea time) that it is pleased to exercise the option to extend the contract with Son Heung-min until the summer of 2026. Son Heung-min renewed his contract in July 2021. The contract was due this summer. At that time, a one-year extension option was inserted, which Tottenham implemented and will be wearing a Tottenham uniform until the summer of 2026. Son Heung-min said "I'm really grateful. I love this club and the time I spent here. I spent almost 10 years here. I am proud to extend my contract for another year."
Son Heung-min's future was a "hot potato" that drew attention not only from Korea but also from Europe. Son Heung-min's renewed contract began around Christmas 2023. Initially, Tottenham appeared to offer Son a long-term contract. That's what the majority of the media predicted. Son Heung-min also showed his affection for Tottenham several times, so the contract was expected to be renewed without difficulty.
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Son Heung-min is Tottenham's progressive legend without needing an explanation. Son Heung-min, who left Leverkusen to join Tottenham in the summer of 2015, rose to the rank of 'legend'. He played in 431 games, 11th in Tottenham history, and scored 169 goals, the fourth-most in the club's history. He became the most helpful player (68) in Tottenham's history. In addition to scoring double-digit goals for eight consecutive seasons from the 2016-2017 season, he became the top scorer (23 goals) in the English Premier League in the 2021-2022 season. In April 2019, he scored his first goal in the opening of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham's current home stadium, against Crystal Palace, and it is literally Tottenham's history of becoming the first Asian captain from the summer of 2023.
But the tide has changed. Tottenham postponed the renewal of the contract. As Tottenham came out lukewarm, love calls continued from Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. Son Heung-min continued to show his affection for Tottenham through interviews. Speaking at the fan forum, he said, `You can't imagine how happy I would be at Tottenham. I just want to see you all smile even if the day comes when I leave this club, and I want to see everyone talk about me as a legend" he said.
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| REUTERS Yonhap News |
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Nevertheless, the success did not change. Fans and experts urged Son Heung-min, who still has skills, to renew his contract, but Chairman Daniel Levy continued his move. Recently, reports from England continued that Son Heung-min suffered from frequent injuries, showed a slight decline in his skills, and that he should be careful about renewing his contract. Some even said Son Heung-min was disappointed by Tottenham's passive attitude.
Big clubs moved on the news that Son Heung-min could be released as a free agent (FA). The `Lebaumun' symbolizing the world's best club has all moved. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona sent love calls to Son Heung-min. Barcelona were quite aggressive. In addition, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce also showed interest. Son Heung-min, who still has competitive skills, has sufficient commercial value, and does not incur a transfer fee, was an attractive target for recruitment.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| REUTERS Yonhap News |
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But Tottenham didn't want Son to be sent away for free. It belatedly announced a one-year extension option. The story that Tottenham will implement a one-year extension option was known through various media reports early on. In November, Fabrizio Romano, who is considered an expert in the European transfer market, said 'Tottenham has started to activate a one-year extension option' Tottenham seems to be thinking about its next move after tying Son Heung-min up by invoking a one-year extension option.
The execution of this option tied Son Heung-min's hands and feet. The courtship of big clubs continues, but it is a story when he is in the 'FA' status. There are not many teams that will offer a large transfer fee to 33-year-old Son Heung-min. Tottenham's legend has made the path clearer, but it could be poisonous for Son Heung-min. If the contract with Tottenham expires after a one-year extension, it could be a situation where neither one nor the other can go. Rather, Son Heung-min is in the most unstable situation now that he has to be guaranteed a stable future. In the end, how sincere Tottenham will renew its contract until next year is expected to be an important variable that will determine Son Heung-min's remaining career.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
