‘Tottenham to sign two Son Heung-min replacements after unexpected Maddison blow’
Tottenham may not have planned to sign a Son Heung-min replacement this summer but James Maddison’s ACL injury has changed that.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that Spurs will be happy with the fee they received for the legendary winger, but his exit has left them in a difficult situation.
Son Heung-min’s move to LAFC marked the end of an era in North London, as the South Korean winger was the last remaining member of Tottenham‘s starting XI from their Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019.
Only Ben Davies remains from the squad that lost against Jurgen Klopp’s men at the Metropolitano in Madrid.
Whilst others left in search of riches and trophies further afield, Son remained with Tottenham and solidified his legacy by lifting the Europa League trophy last season, bringing silverware to North London for the first time since 2008.
James Maddison injury forces Tottenham to search for two signings
This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Whilst Son’s departure was something the Tottenham hierarchy could plan for, Maddison’s ACL injury in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle was not.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that Spurs will likely search for two replacements for their star men this summer.
He said: “I think they’ll be happy with the fee. He’s fantastic, been a fantastic servant for the club, and it’s a decent fee, plus he’s not moving to a Premier League rival.
“He’s off to America, they’ll be happy with the fee they’ve received.
“They need a replacement, and I think I would throw in with that the unfortunate injury to James Madison as well.
“That’s a big blow, because they wouldn’t have been planning for that.
“They have signed Kudus, but he’s a bit more of an out-and-out winger, but I think they’ve probably now got to be looking at right, we’ve lost Son, that’s a big gap to fill.
“But also, we’re now without James Madison for the season, and that’s another gap to fill.
“I think they’ve got to go and spend in the market off the back of those two things.”
Tottenham approach Man City for Savinho
Thomas Frank’s side have wasted little time in searching for replacements for Son and Maddison this summer.
The Athletic reports that Tottenham have approached Man City for Brazilian winger Savinho and dialogue has taken place over a package worth €50million (£43.3m).
The former Girona winger found the back of the net once in his debut season in Manchester in 29 Premier League appearances.
Savinho is reportedly open to the idea of a move to North London, although City are reluctant to sell for less than £50m (€57.8m).