Son Heung-min's (33, Tottenham) future has emerged as a central issue in the transfer market, amid criticism that his 10 years of dedication are merely treated as "revenue items" within the club.
Tottenham Hotspur News reported on the 20th (Korean time) that "Tottenham is facing one of the biggest changes in the club's history this summer, and Son Heung-min's situation is key." In particular, the club's leadership is paying attention to the fact that Son Heung-min's contract expires in the summer of 2026, and it is analyzed that Chairman Daniel Levy views this as "an opportunity to maximize revenue."
Son Heung-min has played as the team's ace since wearing the Tottenham jersey in the summer of 2015. He has created various symbols, including being the Premier League's top scorer, wearing the captain's armband, and winning the UEFA Europa League, but evaluations suggest he has entered a downward phase after this season. Reports that Tottenham could put Son Heung-min on the transfer market are also gaining traction.
The Guardian noted, "Son Heung-min is receiving one of the highest salaries in the team. This is a realistic reason why Tottenham cannot help but consider his transfer," adding, "This may be shocking to fans, but from the club's standpoint, it is a natural judgment."
However, actual transfer negotiations are likely to be postponed until after August. The reason is none other than the "commercial schedule."
The Sun explained, "Tottenham must include Son Heung-min in the preseason match against Newcastle United happening in Korea, as this is a mandatory clause due to marketing contracts signed with Korean sponsors."
As a result, it seems Tottenham will formally discuss Son Heung-min's transfer only after completing the Asian tour. If Son Heung-min doesn't play in the preseason match, the club will suffer not only a deterioration of relationships with partners but also financial losses.
This structure clearly demonstrates that Son Heung-min is being utilized as "marketing assets" rather than just a starting player. It is interpreted that Tottenham is devising a strategy to fully utilize Son Heung-min, who possesses unprecedented fandom and commercial value, before capturing transfer revenue.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley stated, "Son Heung-min is a brand in the Asian market by himself," adding that "the transfer fee the club demands is likely to be at least £50 million (92 billion won)."
He continued, "If there is a buyout clause in Son Heung-min's contract, it could serve as a benchmark for negotiations," adding, "It seems Tottenham values additional revenue more than his performance."
In this situation, concrete offers for Son Heung-min are also being detected. According to Talksport, three clubs in Saudi Arabia, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah, have shown interest in Son Heung-min and are reportedly preparing a transfer proposal of around €4 million (63 billion won).
However, it is likely that Tottenham will demand a significantly higher transfer fee. Plumley forecasted, "Son Heung-min is considered to have passed his peak, but he is still a player with global recognition. Especially considering his influence in the Asian market, the transfer fee may reach even higher than that."
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