‘Son Heung-min ready to leave as Tottenham sale delayed’
Son Heung-min is ready to leave Tottenham but any sale will be delayed until later this summer.
The South Korean winger joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and has gone on to make 454 appearances and has scored 173 goals for the club.
Despite winning their first trophy since 2008, this summer has already seen major changes for the North London club, with Ange Postecoglou being sacked and Thomas Frank hired to replace the ex-Celtic boss.
The 33-year-old will go down as a Spurs legend and was the club’s top goal and assist contributor last season, but with his performances dipping, Tottenham will reluctantly accept a bid for Son this summer, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The South Korean star has just one year remaining on his contract, leaving the North London club with little option but to cash in on the winger now, or face losing him for nothing next summer.
And despite previously rejecting the opportunity to leave Tottenham, Son is now more open to the idea of leaving, according to The Times.
Son Heung-min ‘open’ to leaving Tottenham
Son turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Pro League (SPL) club in 2023 and signed a contract extension to remain with the Premier League outfit in January.
But according to the report, the 33-year-old is said to be “more open to leaving the club”, amidst renewed interest from the Middle East.
Spurs had wanted Son to sign a longer deal in January, largely owing to his “commercial value”, but the player refused.
Teams in the SPL are keen to sign big-name stars from specific countries, helping widen their potential global audience, and the South Korean star’s popularity in Asia makes him a very attractive prospect.
What’s more, Son’s eligibility as an Asian player for the Asian Champions League would help an SPL side with their registration of foreign players, adding a premium to his value.
But any deal for the winger would be delayed by Tottenham’s pre-season tour, which includes a match against Newcastle in South Korea’s Seoul World Cup Stadium on 3 August, as Spurs are “commercially contracted” for the ex-Hamburg man to appear in that game.
Tottenham looking to overhaul squad with Mathys Tel, Bryan Mbeumo deals
Football Insider Verdict
Tottenham confirmed the permanent signing of Mathys Tel, after a middling loan spell in North London last season.
The French Under-21 international showed promise but largely struggled last season, has joined from Bayern Munich in a negotiated deal that will see Spurs pay £30million, down from the original buy-option of £45m [BBC Sport].
Originally a striker in the earlier stages of his career, Tel looked much more comfortable on the left wing and between him and Brennan Johnson, Tottenham now look to have secured their Son replacements.
Spurs are also interested in bringing a few of Frank’s former players across from Brentford.
Tottenham are rivalling Man United for Bryan Mbeumo‘s signature, and could also look to sign Yoane Wissa as the club overhauls the squad that finished 17th in the Premier League last season.