Captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) returns to the team after his summer break. Discussions surrounding his future are expected to intensify.
Football London's Alasdair Gold reported on the 10th (Korean time) that 'most of the Tottenham first-team players, excluding Son Heung-min, have returned to the club,' indicating that preseason preparations have begun.
Destiny Udoji, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison, and Manor Solomon appeared at the club training ground on the 9th. Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert, and Mikey Moore, who returned from age-group national teams, were granted two more days of rest for recovery.
Gold noted, 'The other player returning by the weekend is Son Heung-min. He is in a situation where his return has been somewhat delayed due to family commitments,' explaining the background for the delay.
Son Heung-min finished last season with the valuable achievement of winning the UEFA Europa League. After the World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait in June, he completed his national team schedule and spent time with his family in Korea.
However, as the preseason schedule intensifies, discussions surrounding Son Heung-min's return and future have become inevitable. The British outlet 'Tottenham News' reported on the 11th, 'Son Heung-min is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with manager Thomas Frank immediately upon returning to the club,' adding, 'It is still uncertain whether Frank has included Son Heung-min in his plans.'
Currently, Son Heung-min is receiving consistent interest from various leagues. The Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Saudi Pro League are representative examples. In particular, Saudi Arabian clubs are actively courting Son Heung-min based on their enormous financial power.
According to local reports, 'Saudi Arabia evaluates Son Heung-min as a legend of Tottenham but believes it is now time for a new challenge. Fan support remains strong, but every journey has an endpoint.'
It has been reported that he refused a proposal from LAFC, but interest from Saudi Arabia continues to persist. Football London added, 'Among Tottenham fans, opinions on whether Son Heung-min should stay are divided. There is a perspective that he could be utilized as bench depth, and chairman Daniel Levy is likely to grant Son Heung-min the autonomy to make his own decision.'
Son Heung-min proved to be an iconic presence by leading Tottenham to the UEFA Europa League title last season while wearing the captain's armband. However, with the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou and the transition to Thomas Frank's system, forecasts about changes in Son Heung-min's position are gradually becoming a reality.
[OSEN]