Son Heung-min tipped to sign new deal as Tottenham warned against star sale
Son Heung-min may be experiencing a dip in performance but Tottenham have been warned against selling their iconic winger.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson tipped the South Korean star to sign a new deal with the club, rather than make a move this summer.
Whilst Son’s production may have fallen off last season, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen winger remains one of the North London club’s most dangerous attacking tools.
Despite interest generating in the Saudi Pro League for a summer of two transfer windows, Robinson told Football Insider that Tottenham should not consider selling their “talisman” Son.
The 32-year-old contributed 11 goals and 11 assists, the lowest number of goal contributions since his first season in England.
But despite the drop-off, no other Spurs players were able to match his output, and Robinson reiterated to Football Insider that Tottenham should not consider selling the winger.
Son Heung-min’s value to Tottenham extends past on-pitch performance
Ange Postecoglou decided to bench Son in favour of starting Richarlison for Tottenham’s 1-0 Europa League final win over Man United.
But whilst he is not the powerhouse he once used to be, Robinson said on the latest Insider Track that the commercial value of the South Korean was crucial.
And with Tottenham heading back into the Champions League, Son’s experience was far more valuable than whatever fee they could get for the winger.
“I think with Tottenham and the Saudi Pro League, I’m not so sure they’d necessarily get the offer that they would want with Son coming into the last year of his contract,” the ex-England goalkeeper told Football Insider.
“The Saudi Pro League, the recruitment has been excellent in the last 12 months, and they’re looking at younger players a lot.
“The South American market is utilised, and it’s not a retirement home for ex-Premier League stars who are trying to cash in.
“That league’s getting better, it’s getting stronger. So, for Tottenham to cash in on Son, it would be unwise.
“You look at the value that he brings to the squad, you look at the value that he has in the dressing room, and his reputation among the players, his relationship with the supporters.
“Another big thing with him is the commercial value as well, he’s got his own individual commercial value as an international player, he’s huge to Tottenham and the support that they’ve got there.
“I think for what they would get for him, with 12 months left on his contract, to keep somebody like him around in a Champions League campaign, while trying to compete domestically as well, whilst also trying to restructure a squad to have some kind of stability in there who knows the club and the relationship that they’ve got.
“Listen, there’s always a big enough fee that will turn Tottenham’s head. But I think when you’ve got to weigh up the commercial value and what he brings for the next 12 months to the squad, I wouldn’t be surprised if he extends for another year.”
Son Heung-min crucial if Thomas Frank takes Tottenham job
Sources revealed to Football Insider on 7 June that Tottenham were closing in on Thomas Frank as Postecoglou’s successor.
The Danish boss will arrive in North London with a strong track record in the Premier League, but with very little experience managing in European competition.
Aside from a brief foray into the qualifying stages for the Europa League with Brondby, Frank has never managed in Europe and going into the Champions League with a Spurs side that finished 17th in the Premier League will be a daunting task.
Having an experienced star like Son will be vital for the incumbent manager, and the 51-year-old will likely be keen to see the South Korean remain in North London for the beginning of his reign.