(Expots News Reporter Kwon Dong-hwan) With no renewal negotiations taking place, there is not much time left for world-renowned “No.7” Son Heung-min to play for Tottenham Hotspur.
Alessdair Gold, a British media outlet “Football London” and well-versed in Tottenham news, had a Q&A with fans on the 12th (Korea time) regarding the current situation at Tottenham. Fans asked Gold about the news they were curious about.
Among them were questions related to Son Heung-min’s contract situation. According to the media, a fan asked Gold reporter, “Hi Ali, do you think Tottenham will offer Son a new contract soon? Wouldn’t it be dangerous considering how much time Son Heung-min has left?”
Son Heung-min signed a new contract with Tottenham in the summer of 2021 that is valid until June 2025. The contract reportedly includes an option to extend the contract period by one year until June 2026.
The contract between Tottenham and Son Heung-min expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, as the extension option has not been activated yet. Fans who were concerned about Son Heung-min’s departure showed anxiety because the remaining contract period was less than two years even if the extension option was invoked.
Asked by a fan, Gold replied, “Son Heung-min has an option to extend his contract to 2026. In other words, he has a little more time to be with Son.”
“He is a very important player for Tottenham, both on and off the field. As previously stated, Son wants to justify being called a club legend by achieving something at Tottenham. That is why Tottenham will want him to stay with the team for a while,” he added.
In fact, Son Heung-min has said he wants to become a club legend by lifting the trophy as a member of Tottenham.
When asked about renewing his contract, Son Heung-min said at an official press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League match against Karabakh last month, “I haven’t said anything to the club yet,” adding that he is focusing on winning the trophy this season.
“I’m very clear. I’m very focused on this season. Every moment is like a goal at this age,” he said. “I think I’m paying more attention to it, especially because I’m participating in a lot of competitions this season.”
“I am fully focused on this situation and this season. I just want to get what everyone, players and everyone in this club deserves,” he said. “That’s why I play. You never know what will happen in the future.”
“I will do everything for this club. It’s been almost 10 years since I gave everything. Let’s see what happens,” he said. “I’m still contracted with the club, and that’s the most important thing. Dong-il just wants to do everything for the rest of his contract,” he said.
Son wants to become a Tottenham legend, but many fans already think of him as a club legend. Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son has made a total of 415 appearances, scoring 164 goals and 86 assists.
At Tottenham, Son has left many records. He became the first Asian player to become the top scorer in the Premier League during the 2021-22 season, and last summer, he was the first non-European player to be appointed as Tottenham captain. As Tottenham captain, he met his club’s expectations last season by scoring 17 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League. He has two goals and two assists in five Premier League matches this season, and is on the mend after recently suffering a thigh injury.
Britain’s ‘Give Me Sports’ also included Son Heung-min among the nine most talented players who currently play with No. 7, saying on the 12th that he is ‘the best NO.79 players at this point’.
“After Harry Kane left, Son replaced Kane as a captain and veteran Tottenham player,” said a media outlet that placed Son Heung-min at the world’s best “No. 7.” “It was a matter of course for him to receive the Tottenham captain’s armband. He has shown a solid performance at the highest level for almost 10 years.”
“Of course, Son Heung-min, like other players, has been through ups and downs, but he is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s best players in the Premier League era,” he said. “Playable from the side and center, he has played more than 400 games for Tottenham and scored more than 150 goals. He has never finished with less than 10 goals in the Premier League since his second year.”
However, Tottenham is considering parting ways with Son as he is in his mid-30s. If the contract period is extended until 2026 when the extension clause is applied, Son, who was born in 1992, can play for Tottenham until the age of 34.
Tottenham allowed the situation to be transferred more by signing a short-term contract or invoking an extension option even if it was a regular main player in his 30s. Tottenham legend players, including Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris, have all left Tottenham in their mid-30s and continue their careers in other teams.
As Son has yet to receive an offer to renew his contract, Tottenham’s policy seems inevitable. After being tempted by Saudi Arabia’s oil money from last year, Son is on the verge of leaving Tottenham without receiving proper legendary treatment.
Son made headlines after he was reportedly offered a four-year contract worth 30 million euros a year by Saudi RT Hard. However, Son dismissed rumors of his transfer to Saudi Arabia, saying, “The captain of the Korean national team will not go to Saudi Arabia.”
Tottenham has decided to give up its annual salary of 160 billion won (140 million U.S. dollars) and stay at Tottenham, but Tottenham’s response is rather cold. It has been revealed that the extension for only one year is simply due to the will not to release Son for free next summer.
“He is 꽁머니‘s highest revenue stream and his contract is valid until 2025. Recently, Son admitted that there have been no discussions with the club about the new contract, but Tottenham plans to sign a one-year extension to keep him until 2026, adding that it is certain that he will extend it by one more year so that he does not leave without a free contract.”