Let's sell captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) and replace him with players who have been overshadowed by big clubs.
The British 'The Tottenham Hotspur News' reported on the 2nd (Korea time) that "if Tottenham sells Son Heung-min, they will have to endure massive commercial losses." This analysis emphasizes that Son Heung-min's role in the club's revenue structure goes beyond that of a simple player.
Son Heung-min lifted his first trophy in ten years since joining North London, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final held at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain, on May 22. While he held the trophy of his dreams, he was still troubled by suspicions of aging and injuries.
According to the British 'The Irish Sun', Tottenham is considering Son Heung-min's transfer based on the interest of Saudi Arabian clubs. With one year left on his contract, this is the last opportunity for the club to cash in.
Wenham noted, "Son Heung-min's performance has declined rapidly over the past 18 months, but he can still play a crucial role in big matches," adding, "Personally, I would opt to remove Son Heung-min from the starting lineup and utilize him as a rotation member."
He continued, "Of course, Tottenham could transfer Son Heung-min to Saudi Arabia for a large transfer fee. However, at the same time, the commercial revenue the club generates through Son Heung-min, such as jersey sales, ticket revenue, and exposure in Korea, is also substantial," raising questions about the club's attempt to sell him.
In fact, Tottenham is known to have generated substantial revenue from several visits to Korea. Moreover, they are preparing for a trip to Korea this summer as well. However, the club's popularity in Asia, including Korea, hinges on Son Heung-min, and things would inevitably change without him.
Pointing out this realistic issue, Wenham stated, "Given the potential losses, the club needs to consider whether the proposal made by Saudi Arabia to acquire Son Heung-min for around £50 million to £60 million (approximately 93.2 billion to 111.9 billion won) is truly meaningful."
Wenham also told fans who believe Son Heung-min should be sold, "Son Heung-min has a value to Tottenham greater than we know. Fans may not fully appreciate that commercial value," adding, "It is not easy to find players with similar commercial value and ability as Son Heung-min."
Wenham pointed out, "Jack Grealish has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Son Heung-min. While he can play in the same position, he is not at the level to replace the current captain in terms of performance. From a commercial perspective, it would be difficult to expect the same impact as with Son Heung-min, so if Tottenham is making new investments, it would be better to discover young and promising talents."
Meanwhile, as Wenham pointed out, Tottenham is subtly keeping Son Heung-min's sale as an option regarding the Saudi proposal. They are especially considering younger players who have been overlooked by big clubs as potential replacements. Strong candidates mentioned include Grealish from Manchester City and Leroy Sané, who failed to renew his contract with Bayern Munich.
The club recognizes that trying to recruit such players means they will find themselves in a situation lacking leadership, skill, and a representative player in Son Heung-min's absence. However, as shown by the fans' support after the fan parade, Son Heung-min is an irreplaceable player, making it evident what the outcome of Tottenham's risky move might lead to.
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