"It is too expensive for a PL dropout to have 47.7 billion won."
The transfer rumors surrounding Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) are impacting the club's official schedule beyond simple market reactions. As the massive proposal from Saudi Arabia and the commercial interests of the Asia tour intertwine, the timing of Son's transfer is becoming a topic of more concrete discussions than ever.
Multiple local media outlets, including the British BBC and The Guardian, reported on the 17th (Korean time) that "the interest from Saudi clubs in Son Heung-min continues to rise," adding that "Tottenham plans to retain Son until the Asia tour is completed, but the possibility of a transfer could open up after that."
Tottenham is set to embark on an Asia tour, including a preseason friendly match against Newcastle in early August in Seoul. This tour has already established a marketing framework prominently featuring Son Heung-min, and multiple contracts have been signed based on the premise of his participation with local Korean organizers. If Son chooses to transfer and misses the tour, Tottenham will face not just a player gap but also substantial commercial losses.
The BBC noted in this regard that "preseason tours are a key strategy for brand expansion for Premier League clubs," stating that "since Son Heung-min represents Tottenham in the Asian market, his departure would mean a blow beyond just the team's strength." It also added, "Tottenham plans to delay any transfer at least until the end of the tour, and is considering strategic choices to lead negotiations favorably thereafter."
However, the club cannot fully control Son Heung-min's situation. According to TalkSport, at least three clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah, are ready to offer Son a massive annual salary package worth 26.5 million pounds (about 49.1 billion won). This is a condition that no club in Europe can easily respond to.
The approach of the Saudi clubs is not merely about strengthening the team's power. If a symbolic figure like Son Heung-min joins, the expected impact on broadcast revenue and the expansion of sponsorship in the East Asian market, including Korea, is likely to be explosive. The expectations the Saudi league has for Son are clear. It represents influence beyond being just a 'player.'
However, the reactions of Asian fans are strange. Sports Hochi explained that "three clubs in the Saudi Arabian league are expected to propose a transfer fee of 6.72 billion yen (about 63.7 billion won) and an annual salary of 5.04 billion yen (about 47.7 billion won) to the 32-year-old Korean national team striker."
Japanese fans' reactions were mixed. Some responded, "I understand Son Heung-min's transfer to the Saudi Arabian league. He has done enough," while others noted, "It is not a problem for Son, who might retire at the World Cup, to transfer to the Saudi Arabian league."
However, there were also extreme reactions stating, "It is too expensive for a PL dropout to have 5 billion yen."
[OSEN]