Saudi Arabia's interest remains strong, and Tottenham is still silent. The whereabouts of Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham), ahead of an important final, has once again come under scrutiny. This summer, he is facing another significant decision between staying and transferring.
The British publication 'Tottenham Hotspur News' reported on the 18th (Korean time) that "Tottenham decided to terminate Son Heung-min's contract after talks with the Saudi Arabian side."
The media noted, "Son Heung-min has shown poor performance this season, and his future is uncertain. Looking back over the past 10 years, this season has definitely been below expectations." In particular, evaluations that younger players such as Wilson Odobert have shown better scenes in one-on-one situations are shaking Son's position even more.
In fact, Son Heung-min has scored 7 goals and provided 9 assists in the league this season, but compared to previous seasons where he consistently maintained double-digit scoring, the impact was not significant. In his second season wearing the captain's armband, Tottenham has fallen to the lower ranks of the Premier League, and Son Heung-min's individual performance has also fluctuated. He missed nearly a month toward the end of the season due to a foot injury.
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has expressed interest. Last summer, Al Ittihad offered Son Heung-min a massive contract worth 120 million euros (about 1.878 trillion won) over four years, but Son rejected it, stating that "football is more important."
Unlike then, the situation is different this summer. With one year remaining until the contract expires, Tottenham only activated the short-term extension option in January but has been passive in discussions for a long-term renewal. This is evidence that the club does not have confidence in Son Heung-min as a key player moving forward.
Graham Bailey, a journalist from British 'TBR Football,' also noted, "Son Heung-min could remain at Tottenham next season, but this could change significantly depending on who the new manager is." Currently, the possibility of sacking manager Ange Postecoglou is continually being raised, and Son Heung-min's future may also waver depending on the plans of the successor. In fact, Saudi clubs are reportedly in continuous contact with Son's associates.
Son Heung-min is currently focused on the final rather than the transfer issue. Tottenham will face Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd. Recently, Son played about 30 minutes against Crystal Palace and started for 74 minutes against Aston Villa, boosting his match fitness. He played over 70 minutes for the first time since returning, and after the match, he said, "I am a bit tired, but I am ready for the final."
Manager Postecoglou also stated, "Son Heung-min is ready to play in the final. He is a leader and provides significant tactical and mental support to the team." Tottenham's official channel also first released images of Son's arrival in Bilbao, hinting at his potential participation.
For Son Heung-min, this final is more than just a competition for the championship. He has reached the finals of the Champions League and League Cup and finished as a runner-up each time, and he has yet to lift a trophy in his professional career. The British publication 'Spurs Web' evaluated, "Son Heung-min is already a great player in Tottenham's history, but if he lifts a trophy as captain, he will remain a 'legend' of the club."
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