There is nothing decided yet.
The British 'TBR Football' reported on the 3rd (Korea time) that 'Son Heung-min is negotiating with overseas clubs, and among them, LAFC has entered discussions with Son's side regarding a move to the United States.' It added, 'LAFC is working on a groundbreaking contract to bring Son to their home stadium, BMO Stadium, and Tottenham is also showing an open stance regarding the transfer.'
Son Heung-min is contracted with Tottenham until 2025, but recently, he has been falling behind in the competition for a starting spot due to declining fitness and the aging curve. The fact that the newly appointed head coach Thomas Frank is not giving Son absolute trust is also fueling transfer rumors. TBR Football reported, 'Frank has no intentions of blocking Son's transfer. All decisions depend on Son.'
LAFC has cleared a slot for a 'Designated Player' in MLS to sign Son Heung-min. This system is an exception that allows clubs to exceed salary caps, which is essential for signing world-class players like Son. LAFC's plan is to fill the gap created by the recent transfer of pivotal striker Olivier Giroud to Lille in Ligue 1 with Son Heung-min.
In the 2023-2024 season, Son Heung-min recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in 46 official games, demonstrating solid performance, but with only 7 goals and 9 assists in the EPL, he ended his streak of eight consecutive seasons with double-digit league goals. He is no longer a guaranteed starter. Now, with his position in the Premier League in jeopardy, he is contemplating a meaningful new stage in his career.
This summer, Son Heung-min received significant offers from teams in the Saudi League. According to 'Talk Sport,' clubs like Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah are preparing massive offers totaling €90 million (approximately 142.6 billion won). However, Son himself is reportedly viewing the American stage more positively, as it has relatively less cultural dissonance and high value in sports marketing.
Interestingly, the coach who led Son Heung-min to the top of Europe, Ange Postecoglou, is being considered as a candidate for the next head coach of LAFC. The British 'Football London' noted, 'Son Heung-min has shown clear interest in moving to the United States,' and predicted, 'If Postecoglou and LAFC join forces, Son Heung-min would view it positively.'
Above all, for Son Heung-min, MLS is not just a simple retirement stage. The rivalry with 'soccer god' Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, coupled with the uniqueness of the 2026 North America World Cup, makes the MLS stage a perfect environment for Son to prepare for his 'final showdown.' It allows him to adapt in North America, fine-tune his condition, and prepare for his last World Cup as team captain.
However, TBR Football, which reported this news, is considered a relatively unreliable source. The Athletic noted that Son Heung-min's situation remains undecided, stating, 'Under the new Frank regime, Son's situation is another hot potato. As the captain of Tottenham who has led the team for the past decade, he is now a veteran who must decide for himself whether to stay.'
In fact, the British 'Football London' reported about a month ago that Son Heung-min showed interest in moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) and speculated that after playing this season like Hugo Lloris, he might choose to move to the United States next January ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Ultimately, nothing has been confirmed yet. Now, a conversation between Coach Frank and Son Heung-min is expected to become a pivotal moment that will determine his fate.
As the World Cup approaches, how much guaranteed playing time Son Heung-min can receive will be crucial. If he perceives that his starting position is in jeopardy, he may consider looking toward MLS, taking into account his physical condition and future career. Conversely, if Coach Frank shows a strong willingness to utilize him as a key player, Son might choose to challenge himself again on the European stage.
Meanwhile, Tottenham is also considering the situation of Cristian Romero in addition to Son Heung-min. While Romero has two years remaining on his contract, Son has only one year left. Interest from prestigious European clubs like Atletico Madrid continues for Romero, so it is possible that Tottenham could receive a significant transfer fee for him depending on the situation.
Additionally, Coach Frank is facing squad management issues. To comply with Champions League entry requirements, only 22 players, including homegrown players, can be registered. If the current first-team squad of 31 players is not trimmed, the unnecessary financial burden on the club will inevitably increase.
The conversation with Son Heung-min will be a crucial turning point that will affect not just the captaincy but the future outlook for Tottenham as a whole.
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