Tottenham tour without Son Heung-min?… shocking proposal from Saudi Arabia, signs of change within the club

The transfer rumors surrounding Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) have moved beyond mere speculation and are now directly impacting the club's schedule. Along with a massive offer from Saudi Arabia, the connection to preseason tour contracts has intertwined, and the relationship between Tottenham and Son Heung-min is reaching a significant turning point.

Prominent media outlets like the BBC and The Guardian reported on the 17th (Korean time) that "the interest of Saudi Arabian clubs in Son Heung-min is growing increasingly intense," and "Tottenham intends to defend Son Heung-min until just before the Asian preseason tour. However, there is a possibility of changes regarding his future after the tour."

Tottenham has a preseason friendly match scheduled in Seoul in early August, along with an Asian tour. This tour is structured around a commercial marketing strategy centered on Son Heung-min, and agreements have been made with the organizers based on Son Heung-min's grants. If Son Heung-min decides to transfer and does not participate in the tour, Tottenham will face enormous commercial losses.

The BBC noted, "The preseason tour is crucial for brand expansion for Premier League clubs. Since Son Heung-min is the face representing Tottenham in Asia, his remaining with the team holds importance beyond just team strength," adding that "Tottenham plans to withhold Son Heung-min's transfer until the tour is completed and could demand a higher transfer fee afterward."

However, Tottenham does not have complete control over Son Heung-min's future plans. Multiple Saudi Arabian clubs are engaged in the competition for Son Heung-min's transfer, and their conditions are at a level that no European club can easily follow. Talk Sport reported on the 18th that "Al Ahli, Al Nasr, and Al Qadisiyah have expressed interest in Son Heung-min," stating that "these clubs are ready to offer Son Heung-min an annual salary of £26.5 million (49.1 billion won)."

What Saudi Arabia seeks is not just simple athletic talent. The potential joining of the top Asian star Son Heung-min could lead to explosive additional revenue from broadcasting rights sales and advertising profits in East Asia, including Korea. For the Saudi Arabian league, the 'Son Heung-min effect' is a strategic investment that transcends merely acquiring a player.

In addition, a bidding war for Son Heung-min is ongoing in Europe and Turkey. Notably, Jose Mourinho, who directly managed him during his time at Tottenham, wishes to reunite with Son Heung-min at Fenerbahçe, where he is currently coaching, and the club is reportedly preparing a concrete offer. Additionally, Bayer Leverkusen, where Son Heung-min blossomed in his European career, is also said to have begun internal discussions regarding a potential return.

Before transferring to Tottenham in 2015, Son Heung-min developed into a top-tier winger in Europe through stints at Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. Afterward, he recorded double-digit goals for eight consecutive seasons in the Premier League, and in the 2021-22 season, he made history by becoming the first Asian player to win the EPL Golden Boot with 23 goals.

This season, he finally secured a championship trophy. As captain, Son Heung-min led his team to victory in the UEFA Europa League final, bringing Tottenham a European competition trophy for the first time in 41 years. This was a trophy across all competitions, marking a 17-year wait since the 2008 League Cup victory.

Now, the question remains: where will the next stage be set? After the preseason tour, there is a high possibility that Son Heung-min's transfer will become a reality. While Son Heung-min has not yet revealed an official stance, multiple local reports share the common view that he is quietly preparing for his next destination.

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