Is the partnership between Tottenham Hotspur and Son Heung-min (33) coming to an end? Saudi Arabian clubs are gearing up to acquire Son, and reports indicate that Tottenham is also keeping the door open for a potential transfer.

The Sun reported on the 29th (Korean time) that "Son Heung-min is receiving substantial transfer offers from Saudi clubs" and noted that "Tottenham is internally reviewing the possibility of a transfer." In particular, this transfer proposal could be a decisive offer that will determine Son's later career.

The rekindling of transfer rumors is backed by subtle changes in the atmosphere between Tottenham and Son. TBR Football reported that "Tottenham abruptly withdrew from negotiations to renew Son's contract last summer. When Ange Postecoglou was appointed as head coach, the club stated it would extend Son's contract after evaluating his adaptation to the team, but the negotiations eventually fell through."

It added, "The Tottenham board halted negotiations due to uncertainty regarding Son's performance and internally believes that decision was correct."

It was also reported that "not only Saudi Arabia but also Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the United States are showing significant interest in acquiring Son."

However, since winning the Europa League, the situation has somewhat changed. Tottenham has secured a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League (UCL) following their victory in the UEFA Europa League. Consequently, they are reassessing the presence and leadership of veteran players, and Son is being mentioned again as someone who meets those criteria.

Football Insider's Peter O'Rourke reported that "Tottenham believes Son's experience is crucial as they head into the UCL stage." He assessed, "While this season may not have been Son's best, his influence within the team remains significant."

Son has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 46 official matches this season. In the Premier League, he scored 7 goals, showcasing somewhat disappointing scoring ability, but still ranking second in offensive points within the team. Spurs Web predicted, "Son will aim to restore his reputation through next season's UCL."

Nevertheless, the possibility of a transfer still exists. The Sun reported that "according to internal sources at Tottenham, if a massive offer comes in this summer, Tottenham could seriously consider the transfer of Son." It emphasized that "the funds generated from Son's transfer could be used as key resources for strengthening the team."

The interest in Son from the Saudi league is not merely about enhancing the team’s strength. The league executives have identified Son as a potential successor to Cristiano Ronaldo in case he leaves Al Nassr. Considering the expansion into the East Asian market, they believe Son is a top marketing asset.

In fact, the Saudi side attempted to acquire Son last year as well. At that time, Al Ittihad proposed a transfer fee of $65 million (about 90.8 billion won) and a contract totaling €120 million (approximately 187.6 billion won) over four years, but Son declined and chose to remain in the Premier League.

At that time, Son said, "While money is important, football is more important to me," expressing his determination towards winning.

Currently, Son is contracted with Tottenham until the summer of 2026. This resulted from the club activating a one-year extension option last January. However, from Tottenham's perspective, this is essentially the last summer they can sell Son for a fee. Next year, he may transfer on a free contract without a transfer fee.

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