It is expected that the possibility of Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) transferring to the 'prestigious Turkish team' Fenerbahçe is low. This is due to the high transfer fee being too much for the club to handle. Speculation has also surfaced in the UK that Son will decide his future on his own.
Turkish football journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu noted on the 16th (Korea time) through his social media account that 'Son Heung-min wants to reunite with Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho. However, due to the transfer fee reaching about 30 million euros (approximately 47.3 billion won), it will be difficult for the contract to be finalized.'
He had previously predicted the same day that 'Son Heung-min is showing an open attitude toward transferring to Fenerbahçe. If the amount can be agreed upon, negotiations can progress,' but just a few hours later he brought in news with a somewhat different tone.
There is one year left in the contract between Son Heung-min and Tottenham. If the club wants to sell him and secure a reasonable transfer fee, parting ways this summer is realistic.
Mourinho has been managing Fenerbahçe since June 2024.
He is a renowned manager who has coached top European clubs including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Tottenham. He has a history of winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and the UEFA Europa League (UEL) twice each.
Son Heung-min has also been under the guidance of Manager Mourinho. Their connection began in November 2019 and lasted until April 2021. Mourinho utilized Son and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) as the core of the attack immediately after taking charge at Tottenham. During that period, Son recorded 17 goals and 10 assists in the English Premier League (EPL) for the 2020-2021 season, marking his first entry into the '10-10 club.'
Talk of the possibility of their reunion is not new. Last December, reports emerged through Turkish local media that Manager Mourinho wanted Son Heung-min.
However, the possibility of the transfer does not appear to be high. While Fenerbahçe is a traditional powerhouse with a total of 19 Super Lig titles, it lacks the financial capacity compared to the top teams in the EPL. The 30 million euro price tag on Son Heung-min is seen as a burden for the club.
Recently, Son Heung-min was asked about his future after a June A-match against Kuwait. He said, 'Both the fans and I are curious about my future. I think it’s necessary to keep an eye on the situation for now. I will always do my best, regardless of where I play or what role I have.'
Meanwhile, UK media outlet 'Football London' reported on the 16th that 'Son Heung-min has contributed enough to the club to decide for himself what he will do next,' indicating that it is highly likely that the player will make that decision.
The BBC reported on the 17th that 'Son Heung-min's decision on his future is expected to be postponed until after Tottenham's Asia tour this summer.'
Tottenham will face Newcastle in the '2025 Coupang Play Series' on August 3 at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
BBC analyzed, 'Son Heung-min enjoys immense popularity in Korea. Fans are hoping he will definitely be part of the tour. Summer tours for Premier League clubs are commercially very important events, and Son plays a central role in Tottenham.'
It added, 'Activities Son Heung-min will participate in during the tour have already been planned. Tottenham has an obligation to fulfill that schedule. If the club wants to sell Son before the tour, they must receive an offer that far exceeds his market value.'
'So far, Tottenham has not received any official offers for Son Heung-min.'
[Photo] Manager Jose Mourinho and Son Heung-min ⓒGetty Images (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), 433
[OSEN]