Tottenham Hotspur are abuzz with transfer rumors – LAFC have tabled a £15 million bid for captain Son Heung-min, and Spurs are weighing the possibility of the deal. However, the South Korean star’s future is currently tied to the team’s pre-season schedule: Tottenham will not let him go before their Asian tour, otherwise they will face huge financial losses.
The 33-year-old Son has spent a decade in North London, etching his name into Spurs’ history as a Premier League Golden Boot winner and a key figure in their Europa Conference League triumph. But now, Tottenham’s attitude towards him has become ambiguous: the club is willing to let him leave if they receive an offer in line with expectations (around £15 million). LAFC’s pursuit is not groundless, but the key to this transatlantic transfer still lies in whether Son himself nods in agreement.
However, the pre-season "Asian tour" has become the biggest variable. Tottenham plan to face Newcastle in Seoul, South Korea on August 3, and will also play a North London derby against Arsenal in Hong Kong beforehand – the money-making ability of these two games almost entirely relies on Son Heung-min’s appeal. It is reported that if Son is absent, Tottenham will lose up to 75% of the event revenue; even if he travels with the team but does not play, half of the fees will still be lost. As a "key player" clearly marked in the contract, his presence is the core chip for Tottenham to explore the Asian market.
Off the pitch, Son’s future is also linked to Tottenham’s reconstruction plan. After new coach Thomas Frank took office, he is setting out to build a new system, with an open but cautious attitude towards the veteran: "For now, he is still a player who is fully committed to training. But for players who have been with the club for many years, the club will always make difficult decisions." Last season, Son delivered 7 goals and 9 assists, which, although not sluggish, was his least efficient season since joining. Tottenham are targeting West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus (£55 million) and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, signaling a clear forward line revamp.
After a decade at Tottenham, Son Heung-min has transformed from a promising youngster to a flag-bearer of Asian football. Now, with a £15 million offer on the table, the pre-season tour has become his temporary "amulet". This game of chess, mixed with commercial interests and competitive considerations, may not really be decided until the end of the Asian tour.
