It is now time to make a decision. Discussion surrounding Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) is heating up again. Amid active courting from multiple clubs in Saudi Arabia, Tottenham is not ruling out the possibility of transferring their legendary captain.
Son Heung-min recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 46 official matches during the 2024-2025 season, leading to victory in the UEFA Europa League, and the team celebrated securing a European trophy for the first time in 17 years. However, in the league, he managed only 7 goals, marking the end of his streak of double-digit scoring for 8 consecutive seasons, and his position within the club has somewhat shaken due to injury impact and inconsistent performance.
Amid this, multiple clubs in the Saudi Professional League have identified Son Heung-min as the "post-Ronaldo" target and have begun serious recruitment efforts. Various local media outlets, including The Sun, ESPN, and TalkSport, reported, "With the likelihood of Ronaldo leaving Al Nassr increasing, the Saudi League has needed a new 'symbol,' and Son Heung-min, who possesses unique brand power in the East Asian market, has become a key target."
The Saudi side already attempted to sign global stars like Mohamed Salah, Kaoru Mitoma, and Victor Osimhen last season, and Son Heung-min is considered in the same vein. Notably, Son Heung-min is regarded as a "unique asset" possessing both footballing value and commercial impact, serving as a key player for Asian marketing in the Premier League.
From Tottenham's perspective, the situation is complicated. In January, Son extended his contract until June 2026 through an option held by the club, one year before its expiration. However, The Guardian analyzed this as "a strategic choice to secure the final opportunity for the club to recover the transfer fee."
According to 'Al-Riyadiyah,' Tottenham has set a minimum transfer fee of £50 million (about 93.1 billion won) for Son Heung-min, and it is reported that the Saudi side has sufficient financial resources to pay this amount. This is approximately double the transfer fee at the time Son was acquired in 2015.
Although Son Heung-min previously rejected a four-year offer worth 240 billion won from Al Ittihad, it is now assessed that as he heads into his mid-30s, he is at a crossroads for a final career decision. Considering the frequent injuries and fluctuations in performance, combined with the team's restructuring, it is no longer a simple choice for the player himself.
Meanwhile, Tottenham has already begun a generational change by acquiring Yang Min-hyuk in preparation for Son Heung-min's potential departure. The team is expected to carry on with its forward line rebuilding efforts throughout the summer transfer window, and selling Son Heung-min could be a crucial "financial card" in this process.
However, the value of Son Heung-min goes beyond just scoring figures. Following the UEFA Europa League final, he stated, "I achieved something no one has done for 17 years. For today, you can call me a legend," and his emotional connection with fans remains strong.
Some experts and legends also support his stay. Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson evaluated, "Although it wasn’t his best season, he is still an iconic player. Son Heung-min will remain a legend for Tottenham."
It is clear that his presence in the Premier League has diminished, and there is a growing sentiment within the club that "a rational decision is now necessary." In particular, the intention of the club to avoid a situation where he becomes a free agent without a transfer fee in a year is also being perceived.
As the Saudi League's summer transfer market opens on July 20, Son Heung-min is facing the heaviest decision of his career. It is expected that soon it will be decided whether his last challenge will be the Super Cup final or a new start on a different continent.
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