Tottenham targets Sané as free replacement for Son Heung-min amid decline

Chairman Daniel Levy is pushing to acquire winger Leroy Sané (29, Bayern Munich) as a 'free' replacement for Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham).

The British media outlet Sky Sports reported on the 29th (Korean time) that "Sané has been added to Tottenham's transfer list. He is a resource who can long-term replace Son Heung-min."

Sané has not shown the expected performance this season. He temporarily left the squad early in the season due to injury, but fortunately it was not a long-term injury. He played 45 matches across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 6 assists, which is somewhat lower than last season's figures. Sané recorded a total of 23 attacking points with 10 goals and 13 assists in 42 matches in the 2023-2024 season.

The British 'TBR Football' evaluated Sané by saying, "Although his record has declined compared to the previous season, he has delivered impressive performances even in a situation with limited playing time."

It added, "Sané is a winger with speed and creative dribbling. He has a style similar to Son Heung-min, excelling in breakthroughs and playmaking on the left side. Sané's play, which utilizes space widely, fits well with the tactics of coach Ange Postecoglou."

The media also mentioned concerns regarding Son Heung-min's recent performance. "Son Heung-min has only scored 7 goals in the Premier League this season. A decline in physical condition and form coincided, and coach Postecoglou also noted during the season that 'Son Heung-min looks tired.' He was excluded from the starting lineup in the Europa League final," it reported. It continued, "Both players are similar types. Sané is better in dribbling and finishing, while Son Heung-min excels in ball carrying and chance creation. If Sané is acquired, he could emerge as a key resource to replace Son Heung-min at Tottenham."

The fact that Sané is a free agent is also attractive to Tottenham, as it allows for acquisition without transfer fee burdens. His contract with Bayern will end at the end of this season.

Sané made his first-team debut in the German Bundesliga with Schalke 04 in 2014. He then transferred to Manchester City in the summer of 2016. Under coach Pep Guardiola, he experienced consecutive league victories in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2017-2018 season.

However, he suffered a long-term absence due to a knee anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Community Shield in 2019. The following year, in 2020, he transferred to Bayern and quickly adapted, winning the Bundesliga in his first season.

His international career is also impressive. He made his debut for the senior national team in November 2015 against France and participated in the UEFA Euro 2016 finals. Although he was excluded from the final roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, he later returned to the national team, leading the attack for Germany in the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Euro 2020 finals.

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