Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham), who once dominated the European stage, is at a significant crossroads. Reports have emerged that Saudi Arabian clubs have identified Son as a leading figure in the "post-Cristiano Ronaldo" era and have actively entered the recruitment race, reigniting transfer rumors.

The Sun reported on the 31st of last month (Korean time) that "multiple clubs in the Saudi Arabian professional league are focusing on Son Heung-min as the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo," adding that "substantial recruitment work is already in progress."

This movement is gaining more realism in connection with the rumored departure of Ronaldo from Al Nassr. Al Nassr is preparing to make Son Heung-min its new star icon as it aims to challenge for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League again. Last season ended in failure after pursuing victory alongside Sadio Mané and Ronaldo, leading to a focus on Son as an alternative.

After Salah declared his intention to remain at Liverpool, attention in Saudi Arabia has undoubtedly turned to Son Heung-min. His influence in the East Asian market is overwhelming, making him an invaluable card from Saudi Arabia's commercial and strategic perspective.

Son has already proven his value at Tottenham. He has significantly contributed to the club's revenue structure, not only through his performance but also in the institutional sector of star marketing. The influx of Asian fans at home games, merchandise sales, and broadcasting rights revenue—Son has brought value that transcends being just a player; he has become a brand.

However, this season Son Heung-min's position has somewhat wobbled. Due to foot injuries and inconsistent overall condition, his league performance has fallen short of expectations, despite the glory of winning the UEFA Europa League. He only managed 7 goals in the Premier League, breaking his streak of eight straight seasons with double-digit scoring. Overall for the season, he played 46 matches, accumulating 11 goals and 12 assists.

Amid this, Saudi Arabia's interest in Son Heung-min has become more concrete, prompting Tottenham to enter a period of contemplation. Analysts suggest that if an actual offer of £50 million (93 billion won) arrives, a split with Son cannot be ruled out. This amount is almost double the fee Tottenham paid to acquire Son in 2015.

Saudi Arabian Al-Riyadi noted, "Tottenham is maintaining an open stance toward negotiations premised on Son Heung-min's transfer," adding that "if a proposal exceeding £50 million is realized, the likelihood of a transaction being concluded is quite high."

In the past, Son Heung-min received an outrageous offer of up to 60 billion won from Al Ittihad, which he declined. However, he is now older and has faced more injury issues in recent years. His contract has been extended through 2026 with a one-year renewal option, but there remain questions as to whether Son can be a focal point in the team's future planning.

Tottenham has already signed Yang Min-hyeok in preparation for Son Heung-min's possible absence. During the summer transfer market restructuring process, Tottenham is showing signs of attempting to secure financial flexibility through squad rebuilding. The sale of Son could be one piece of that puzzle.

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