The future of Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) and head coach Ange Postecoglou (60), as well as several key players, is uncertain.
The British media outlet 'The Irish Sun' reported on the 3rd (Korean time) that "Tottenham Hotspur is preparing for significant changes this summer, and in this process, the future of key players, including Son Heung-min, is also uncertain."
This is not simply a matter of reinforcing or reorganizing the squad. At the center of the changes Tottenham faces is the issue of captain Son Heung-min's future. Although he achieved success by winning the UEFA Europa League, there is a prevailing analysis that the club is preparing to say goodbye after this.
Son Heung-min captained the team in the UEFA Europa League final for the 2024-2025 season held on the 22nd of last month. Although he started from the bench and played only about 20 minutes without any attack points, he led Tottenham to their first-ever European trophy by defeating Manchester United 1-0.
It was an achievement after 10 years in north London, but expectations are growing that this emotional moment could be his last at Tottenham.
With just one year remaining on his contract with Son Heung-min until the summer of 2026, Tottenham views this summer as an opportunity for 'final monetization.' In particular, amid interest from Saudi Arabian clubs in Son Heung-min, multiple local reports indicate that the club is already prepared to allow a transfer if an appropriate offer comes.
The British media outlet 'The Irish Sun' noted, "Tottenham is keeping the possibility of a transfer open, considering Son Heung-min's declining performance and the timing of his contract expiration." Meanwhile, skepticism about Son Heung-min's commercial value also exists. The revenue the club earns through ticket sales, jersey sales, domestic broadcasting rights in Korea, and brand exposure from Son Heung-min is significant, exceeding mere transfer fees.
In this context, John Wenham, operator of the Tottenham-focused podcast 'Lilywhite Rose,' stated, "It is true that Son Heung-min's performance has declined over the past 18 months, but he is still a player who can have an impact at critical moments." He added, "Considering the possibility of using him as a rotation resource and whether sending him to Saudi Arabia and receiving a transfer fee of £50-60 million (approximately 93.2-111.9 billion won) can offset commercial losses is debatable."
The issue regarding Son Heung-min's future is not limited to just one player. It is closely intertwined with the futures of key players like Cristian Romero (27) and Rodrigo Bentancur (28).
Romero is mentioned as a candidate for the new captain if Son Heung-min leaves the team, which could motivate him to remain at Tottenham after dismissing rumors of a transfer to La Liga.
Bentancur also faces a situation where the possibilities of staying and transferring coexist, considering his relationship with Romero and his standing in the team. In fact, the internal chemistry between Son Heung-min, Ben Davies, Romero, and Bentancur plays a significant role in the team's strategic considerations.
John Wenham predicted, "Son Heung-min and Davies are close, and if Son Heung-min leaves, Davies' situation may be affected sequentially. Likewise, if Romero becomes captain, the chances of his close friend Bentancur staying with the team will increase."
The coaching issue also adds to the confusion. Although head coach Ange Postecoglou has achieved success by winning the UEFA Europa League, consistent speculation about his dismissal has arisen due to a shocking 17th-place performance in the league. Thomas Frank of Brentford is mentioned as a strong candidate for the successor, but Frank has recently stated, "I have no plans to go to Tottenham."
Tottenham is now at a complex crossroads that encompasses tactical rebuilding, commercial calculations, and the dynamics of relationships and leadership succession within the squad. Son Heung-min's future stands at the intersection of all these conflicts.
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