Tottenham Hotspur is said to part ways with captain Son Heung-min (33), while there are claims that they should do their utmost to keep vice-captain Cristian Romero (27). This is the opinion of Dan Kilpatrick, a reporter who specializes in Tottenham and is notably strict with Son Heung-min.
The British outlet 'Team Talk' reported on the 29th of last month (Korean time) that "a prominent reporter claims Tottenham must make a 'ruthless' decision regarding Son Heung-min, who has entered a decline."
The outlet noted, "Son Heung-min is undoubtedly the greatest Korean football player of all time and arguably the best player in Asian football history. He is one of the highest-level players wearing the Tottenham uniform," while also mentioning, "Son Heung-min finally secured his first major tournament victory by winning the UEFA Europa League last month. However, his individual record has suffered as he only scored 11 goals in 46 matches while dealing with injuries."
Moreover, Son Heung-min's contract with Tottenham will expire in the summer of 2026. Because of this, rumors are growing that he could end his 10-year association with Tottenham this summer. According to 'Football London', the likelihood of Son Heung-min leaving Tottenham is higher than ever.
Particularly as Son Heung-min is nearing 33, claims are emerging that the time has come for him to part ways. Last season, he managed only 7 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League, breaking his streak of eight consecutive seasons with double-digit league goals. The 'BBC' also pointed out, "Given the decline in Son Heung-min's form and Wilson Odobert's lack of experience, it would not be surprising for Tottenham to sign a goal-scoring winger."
Kilpatrick also spoke up. As he has often criticized Son Heung-min in the past, it is no surprise that he strongly advocated for the 'sale of Son Heung-min'. Team Talk reported, "Son Heung-min is contracted to Tottenham for one more season. However, according to Kilpatrick, it would be wise for the club to approve his sale at a very appropriate, cruel, and ruthless time."
Kilpatrick, who has recently become the editor of 'The Athletic', stated, "Son Heung-min has now grasped a trophy. He has finally reached that moment, and one year remains on his contract. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say he experienced a decline last season," noting that Son Heung-min has hit an 'aging curve.'
He continued, "Even considering the team situation, he wasn't the Son Heung-min we previously knew. Therefore, I think it would be reasonable for him to transfer after the Korean tour this summer. That is the crux. Tottenham will not let go of Son Heung-min before the Korean tour (August 3)."
Tottenham is not only facing rumors of transfer regarding Son Heung-min but vice-captain Romero as well this summer. He has been supporting captain Son Heung-min since last season but is being linked with Atlético, who seek to reinforce their defense. As Romero has many Argentine national team colleagues and is in a position to secure a starting spot, he has shown a positive response.
Atlético and Romero both desire each other. Atlético coach Diego Simeone recently acknowledged publicly, "Do I want Romero? Of course. He is an excellent player." He has reportedly maintained consistent communication with Romero and has already received an 'OK sign.' Romero has also directly admitted the possibility of a transfer, expressing his desire to play in Spain someday.
Kilpatrick has raised his voice, stating that unlike Son Heung-min, they must keep Romero. He said, "Selling a captain with World Cup-winning experience at this point would not be a good signal for Tottenham. While Tottenham wants to continue growing based on their UEFA Europa League victory, Romero's contract only has two years left. This time, the chances of a favorable outcome for Tottenham are slim."
Additionally, Kilpatrick stated, "They must either sell Romero for a large sum right now or risk finding themselves in a difficult position in a year or 18 months. Therefore, Tottenham should consider any good offers that arise. However, looking at his performance in the UEFA Europa League, he has proven to be a winner and a leader. Tottenham has not had many players like that for several years, and that remains true today. They would not want to lose Romero."
Meanwhile, as Kilpatrick mentioned, if Son Heung-min leaves Tottenham this summer, it is likely that the farewell timing will be after August. This is because he must participate in Tottenham's preseason Asia tour starting next month. Tottenham is set to clash with Arsenal in Hong Kong next month before visiting Japan and Korea. For the second consecutive year, Tottenham will meet with Korean fans, competing against Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Because of this, Tottenham cannot part ways with Son Heung-min immediately. As Korea’s top star, Son Heung-min is undeniably a key figure in Tottenham's Asia tour. From a marketing and fan service perspective, he is an essential presence that cannot be omitted. It has been reported that there is a condition in the contract with the tour organizers that Son Heung-min must participate.
Previously, the BBC reported, "The future of Son Heung-min and Tottenham remains unclear. Several clubs in the Middle East are trying to seize this opportunity," stating, "According to sources, Son Heung-min is likely to leave Tottenham before next season, but it appears that it will happen after the Asia tour. If he is not on the team, there is a risk of significant issues with the tour organizers. Son Heung-min will play a commercially important role in the Tottenham tour."
For now, it is highly likely that Son Heung-min and Tottenham will spend time together until the Asia tour, slowly organizing their thoughts. Ultimately, the most important factor is Son Heung-min's decision. The choice he makes, having kept all possibilities open unlike two years ago, could impact both Tottenham and the Asian football community.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), 365 Scores, Tottenham social media.
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