Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) has once again been urged to leave the Premier League. This time, it is the claim of 'Tottenham senior' Jamie O'Hara.

The British outlet 'FourFourTwo' reported on the 20th (Korea time) that "former Tottenham midfielder O'Hara explains the reasons why star Son Heung-min should accept a transfer offer. He expressed his thoughts on Son Heung-min's potential departure."

The media stated, "It has been 10 years since Son Heung-min left Bayer Leverkusen to join Tottenham, and he is a true legend at Tottenham," while also noting, "After finally lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy last month, Son Heung-min could leave the team. José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe and Saudi Arabian teams are said to be in consolidation with him. O'Hara believes it is time to let Son Heung-min go if an appropriate offer comes."

O'Hara's remarks about Son Heung-min were somewhat blunt. He claimed, "If a big opportunity comes, I would let Son Heung-min leave. I think he has reached the end of being a top-level player. Perhaps he should go to a somewhat slower league."

O'Hara also noted, "Now the Premier League is too fast for Son Heung-min. He has lost his speed. He has been an incredibly loyal player to the club, but time passes," adding, "Of course, Son Heung-min is a legend. I hope he stays at Tottenham and recovers his former self, but I am not sure we will see that again. It seems there is no longer that version of him."

Son Heung-min has recorded 7 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League this season. While that's not a bad record, it's true that he hasn't been as sharp as in previous years due to the effects of injuries and aging. He also came on as a substitute in the second half of the UEFA Europa League final.

O'Hara pointed this out as well. He remarked, "In the (Europa League) final, it seemed like Son Heung-min's legs were gone (his feet were heavy). I know he has come back from injury, and that is hard. I've experienced it many times, but it wasn't easy. I feel for him, but Son Heung-min appeared to have lost his former mobility."

O'Hara added, "That moment comes for every player. Son Heung-min needs sharpness and explosive speed in the first few steps, just like he used to have. In the past, he would evade opponents and dash forward quickly the moment he touched the ball, but now it seems he cannot do that."

He also cited Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, who transformed from a winger to a midfielder, as a role model. O'Hara commented, "Giggs was also very sharp, but as he aged, he had to change his playing style. He could no longer evade opponents and became more like a midfielder. Can Son Heung-min do that? Can he change his playing style? As he ages, he needs to learn to play in a different way."

O'Hara has been critical of Son Heung-min throughout the season. Early in the season, he stated, "The Son Heung-min we knew is now gone. Real fans would think so," causing controversy, and he has since commented, "Son Heung-min is no longer a captain or a leader," generally asserting that there is a lack of leadership from Son Heung-min and an aging curve.

O'Hara also singled out Son Heung-min during Tottenham's loss to Alkmaar last March. He pointed out, "Manager Ange Postecoglou took out Mathys Tel and pushed Son Heung-min up front. But Son Heung-min was nonexistent in this match. The players wanted to penetrate the back space, but Tottenham had no such play at all."

O'Hara once again mentioned Son Heung-min's aging curve. However, he did not deny that Son Heung-min is undoubtedly a legend at Tottenham. He argued that now that he has achieved the trophy he longed for, it is worth considering bidding farewell to Tottenham.

O'Hara remarked, "Of course, one might think it's time for Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham. He has lifted the trophy he always wanted, and he did it at Tottenham. He was an incredible leader and an amazing player. Son Heung-min has made Tottenham the biggest club commercially in Asia. He is a legend of Tottenham."

Son Heung-min's chances of leaving Tottenham this summer are increasing. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-2026 season. For Tottenham, it is also the last opportunity to sell Son Heung-min and secure a transfer fee. It has been reported that if he wishes to leave, they will be willing to let him go.

In particular, Son Heung-min is once again receiving hot interest from Saudi Arabia. Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah are said to be wanting him. According to British journalist Ben Jacobs, Saudi Arabia's three clubs have prepared a transfer fee of €40 million (approximately 63.4 billion won) and an annual salary of €30 million (approximately 47.5 billion won). The salary amounts to a staggering €90 million (approximately 142.6 billion won) over three years.

Ultimately, the key lies in Son Heung-min's decision. He has become a legend at Tottenham and in the Premier League, but as time passes, the voices calling for him to 'leave at the right moment' are also growing. Such arguments could potentially accelerate an actual transfer.

Son Heung-min also mentioned after the Kuwait match, "It is right to wait. I am curious too. It is hard to predict what will happen. I think it is better to watch what will happen," keeping all possibilities open. According to O'Hara, it will be seen this summer whether Son Heung-min will start a new career in a 'slower league' or prove his skills once again in the Premier League.

[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (no unauthorized reproduction or redistribution), Tottenham news.

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