Saudi move to land Tottenham financial windfall; but at what cost?

Son Heung-min exit to impact Tottenham Hotspur’s finances

Tottenham ended the 2024-25 season on a relative high, clinching the Europa League and finally breaking their long-standing trophy drought. Yet, beneath the silverware, the campaign was marked by turbulence and inconsistency. As attention now turns to next season, Spurs face a pivotal summer of transformation.

A major squad overhaul is expected, with several departures on the cards and reinforcements likely to follow. However, one of the most pressing dilemmas surrounds club captain Son Heung-min. While the Europa League triumph remains a moment of celebration, Son’s underwhelming individual performances have sparked debate over his long-term role at the club. With a new era potentially on the horizon, Tottenham can ill afford to delay a decision on their skipper’s future much longer.

Son Heung-min has been a central figure at Tottenham Hotspur for many years, both on and off the pitch. At 32, the South Korean star has not only been a consistent performer but also a global ambassador for the club, particularly in Asia, where his popularity has significantly boosted Spurs’ commercial reach and brand value.

However, according to The Irish Sun, Tottenham are reportedly considering the option of parting ways with their long-serving captain this summer. While Son remains one of the most recognisable faces in world football, his performances have waned in recent seasons, prompting discussions about a potential sale rather than allowing him to leave on a free transfer next summer. Yet, such a move could come at a steep cost, not just in terms of leadership on the pitch, but also in lost commercial opportunities, especially across Asia.

John Wenham, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, warned of the serious financial repercussions should Spurs choose to offload Son. While he acknowledged the forward’s dip in form over the past 18 months, he argued that Son still delivers in big moments and holds tremendous value as an experienced squad member. Wenham suggested that even if Son is no longer a guaranteed starter, he could be a crucial rotational option, especially if the club sign a new left winger in the summer window.

Wenham also addressed the potential appeal of a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, which could fetch Tottenham in the region of £50–60 million. However, he cautioned that the revenue lost from merchandise sales, ticketing, and the club’s global image, particularly in South Korea, could far outweigh any short-term financial gain.

In Wenham’s view, Son’s commercial and cultural value remains unmatched. Letting him go would not just mean the end of an era, it could have lasting ramifications for the club’s global footprint.

He is strictly against the idea of Selling Son

“I wouldn’t have him starting every week. I’d certainly look to procure a new starting left winger, with Son acting as a rotational option. Tottenham could, of course, make a significant amount of money by selling Son to a club in Saudi Arabia.”

“However, that needs to be balanced out with the huge amount of money Tottenham would lose from merchandise, tickets, and exposure, which Son brings to the club with his following in South Korea.”

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While Jack Grealish has been mentioned as a potential successor to Son Heung-min on the left flank, expecting him to replicate Son’s global commercial influence would be unrealistic. On the pitch, too, Grealish has yet to consistently deliver at the level Spurs fans have come to expect from their long-time captain.

Given the limited sporting or financial upside in such a direct swap, Tottenham would be better served by investing in a younger, high-potential winger, someone who could develop into both a footballing and commercial asset over time, rather than attempting to replace Son with a like-for-like profile that doesn’t match his all-around value.