Captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham), who lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy, is still receiving accolades, but his future remains unclear. Now that he has been recognized as a 'legend', it is time to consider new milestones.
On the 22nd (Korean time), Son Heung-min led Tottenham Hotspur to their first major tournament victory in 17 years by defeating Manchester United. He became the third player to lift a European competition trophy as captain, and the club officially recognized his historical significance by naming him "a true legend".
Images were shared on social media showing legends like Steve Perryman and Alan Mullery alongside Son Heung-min, lifting the trophy.
Behind the glamorous spotlight lies a harsh reality. Son Heung-min will remain with Tottenham until June 2026 under a contract signed in 2021, but local media interprets this as a 'strategic extension'.
The Guardian noted, "Tottenham's extension of Son Heung-min's contract could be a measure to preserve his value in the transfer market," while SpursWeb assessed coldly, "This season has not shown the past level of destructiveness; a mere show of respect is not enough to propose a renewal."
In fact, Son Heung-min has been sidelined for about two and a half months due to injuries this season, finishing with 7 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League and a total of 11 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. He missed double-digit league goals for the first time in his career, yet still recorded the highest attacking points on the team, proving his significance.
Amidst this, the renewal issue is complicatedly intertwined with the club's finances. Son Heung-min is the highest-paid player on the team (approximately 18 billion won), but analysis suggests that a renewal without a salary reduction is unlikely due to financial deficits and team restructuring. Consequently, some media outlets have claimed that selling him this summer would be a 'wise decision' for Tottenham.
Indeed, clubs from Saudi Arabia and Turkey have shown interest in signing Son Heung-min, with reports indicating a transfer fee reaching £50 million (approximately 92.6 billion won). 'Spurs HQ' reported, "If Son Heung-min transfers, Tottenham could achieve both a supply of young talent and financial security."
However, the official stance of the club is different. According to SpursWeb, after securing a return to the UEFA Champions League, Tottenham is preparing for next season with Son Heung-min as the team's centerpiece, and has decided not to entertain any offers during the summer transfer window. The club is also planning a Korean tour next season, making Son Heung-min's symbolic value and marketability significant factors.
Putting aside the disappointment of not being included in the UEFA Europa League final starting lineup, Son Heung-min dedicated himself to defensive efforts and pressing after being substituted in the second half, creating an emotionally touching moment for fans as he lifted the trophy first as captain during the award ceremony. In this regard, Football Insider evaluated, "Despite a decline in performance, Son Heung-min remains the team's spiritual support."
Now, attention turns to December. British media predicts that Son Heung-min and the club will enter final renewal negotiations by the end of this year. Issues such as salary reductions, contract duration, and role adjustments are expected to necessitate pragmatic negotiations.
Son Heung-min, walking the path of a legend. Whether his next move will become another historic moment, or if it is time to prepare for farewell, fans' attention is focused on the crossroads between Son Heung-min and Tottenham.
[OSEN]