The atmosphere surrounding Son Heung-min (33), who has been the heart of Tottenham Hotspur for 10 years, is changing rapidly. Fan sentiment, club policy, and the coach's vision are all heading toward 'separation.'
Son Heung-min's future is at a crossroads. The internal poll results announced by British 'Football London' on the 27th (Korea time) were shocking. 57% of respondents favored transferring Son Heung-min to Saudi Arabia. Despite being the franchise star still wearing the captain's armband, those advocating for him to be 'sold' have exceeded the majority.
There was also a fan base providing emotional support. However, opinions wishing for Son Heung-min to remain at Tottenham accounted for only 21%, while the remaining 22% were in favor of a conditional transfer. Essentially, nearly 8 out of 10 agreed on the possibility of a transfer.
Underlying this sentiment is a realistic assessment. Son Heung-min's skills have somewhat declined from his prime, and the club believes that it must maximize revenue while his market value is still high. In fact, he has often been valued at a transfer fee of 50 million to 60 million pounds (approximately 94.5 billion to 112.2 billion won).
The atmosphere for transfer rumors is also solidifying. According to 'Talk Sport', Saudi clubs such as Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Qadisiyah are competing to acquire Son Heung-min. The proposed amount is 40 million euros (approximately 63.3 billion won). His annual salary mentioned is 30 million euros (approximately 47.5 billion won).
Amid these developments, the internal atmosphere of the club is also concerning. British 'Spurs Web' reported that new coach Thomas Frank is considering using Son Heung-min only as a rotation resource next season. Son Heung-min's name was absent from the list of key players publicly revealed by Coach Frank.
Advice from club legend Chris Waddle is also drawing attention. He said, "Son Heung-min is already struggling with the pace and physicality of the Premier League," and noted, "If he transfers to other European leagues such as Italy, France, or Spain, he could extend his career for two more years." He added, "Every player has an expiration date," suggesting that the time has come to prepare for farewell.
Son Heung-min's transfer cannot be dealt with merely as a change in talent. He is the brand icon of Tottenham and a key asset generating revenue in the Asian market. In fact, Tottenham's position is that even if they carry out the transfer of Son Heung-min, they must receive over 50 million pounds. This calculation reflects the marketing value.
Contractual limitations also exist. It is reported that Son Heung-min is required to participate in a preseason friendly match and an Asian tour scheduled to be held in Seoul in August. The club has already incorporated various commercial content and events involving Son Heung-min into their plans. Consequently, there are practical constraints that hinder an immediate transfer.
Ultimately, Tottenham's use of Son Heung-min is balancing between 'emotion' and 'reason,' 'talent' and 'brand.' The club is seeking the future through generational change, fans desire to show the last respect to Son Heung-min, who was once an icon, and clubs in Saudi Arabia and other European nations continue to engage in behind-the-scenes contact to acquire him.
The ball is now in Son Heung-min's court. Will he endure another season or ignite the last spark of his career on a new stage? His next choice is expected to create another turning point in Tottenham's future narrative.
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