Son Heung-min eyes Saudi transfer as market interest grows after title win

Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) has achieved his first career title with his team, and his future is attracting attention in the summer transfer market of European football.

ESPN noted on the 1st (Korean time) citing a report from TalkSport that "Son Heung-min has emerged as a transfer target for several clubs in the Saudi Arabian professional league," stating that "Saudi clubs expect that acquiring Son Heung-min will not only strengthen the league's competitiveness but will also serve as a springboard for exploring new markets."

The Saudi professional league has already showcased its international presence by acquiring world-class stars from Europe, including Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr). This time, they aim to enhance their influence in the Asian market by bringing in Asia's top star, Son Heung-min.

Previously, on the 29th of last month, the British media The Sun reported that "Saudi Arabian clubs have shown interest in acquiring Son Heung-min. Tottenham may consider selling him if a significant transfer fee is proposed."

Saudi football officials have reportedly assessed that "Son Heung-min is an iconic figure in Korea and is a suitable marketing asset for targeting the East Asian market."

Son Heung-min received interest from Saudi Arabia last summer as well. According to U.S. 'CBS Sports,' at the time, Al Ittihad offered a transfer fee of $65 million (approximately 90.8 billion won) and a four-year contract worth €120 million (approximately 187.6 billion won) for Son Heung-min. However, he chose to remain in England, emphasizing his desire for victory.

Son Heung-min has previously expressed his stance on transfer rumors to the Saudi league. After a match against El Salvador in 2023, he said, "I remember my former teammate Ki Sung-yueng saying, 'The captain of the South Korean national team doesn't go to the Chinese league.'" He further expressed his intention to stay, stating, "There are still things I need to do in the Premier League."

The "things I need to do" he mentioned were considered to be winning a title, as he had not experienced lifting a trophy with his team at that time. However, his situation is different after this season. Son Heung-min finally claimed his first title in the UEFA Europa League for the 2024-2025 season.

Son Heung-min, who will turn 33 in July, recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 46 official matches this season. In the Premier League, he scored only 7 goals in 30 matches, marking his first season with single-digit goals since joining in the 2015-2016 season. However, despite his personal statistics, Son Heung-min achieved his first career title in the Europa League.

The Sun reported that "Son Heung-min remains a key player for Tottenham, but his individual performance this season has not met expectations," urging that the money generated from his sale should be utilized for preparing for the Champions League next season.

Despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, Tottenham secured a Champions League ticket for the next season as the winner of the Europa League.

There are opinions that Son Heung-min, who has done everything he can at Tottenham, should now consider a transfer, especially in a world where money plays a crucial role, suggesting that this summer may be the right time for a farewell.

Son Heung-min's contract with Tottenham was extended until June 2026 after the one-year extension option was activated in January.

This summer could be virtually the last opportunity for Tottenham to sell Son Heung-min and secure a substantial transfer fee. While there is the winter transfer market, if he is not sold by next season, they will have to let him go 'for free.'

The summer transfer market for the Saudi league opens on July 20 local time.

Meanwhile, after returning home following the Europa League victory, Son Heung-min will depart for Iraq through Incheon International Airport on the 2nd as part of the national football team led by coach Hong Myung-bo to participate in the 9th match of the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 North and Central American World Cup.

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