Should Tottenham allow Heung-Min Son to leave for Saudi? – Opinion

Tottenham Hotspur skipper Heung-Min Son has been linked with a move away from Hotspur Way given the links with a move for the South Korean international to the Saudi Pro League, but then the question remains: should the North Londoners sell the former Bayer Leverkusen winger? The 32-year-old has been the captain at N17, a fan favourite at Hotspur Way and possibly one of the few remaining bridges between the Pochettino era and the present.

Given that he is coming off an underwhelming campaign by his standards, many have been debating whether he is still the right man to be at Tottenham.

Given his contract is set to expire in 2026 and how his physical decline is quite seen. We have seen how he is no longer capable of playing 50+ high-tempo games in a season; the Lilywhites have to think about the way forward. Tottenham have been rebuilding their roster, and with young forwards like Solanke, Kulusevski, and Brennan Johnson in the squad already.

There have been links with a possible $65.4 million transfer for Saudi Arabia, which is seen as something of a strategic consideration: should Daniel Levy be keeping a hold of a declining legend or cash in and reinvest in the South Korean while his value is still meaningful?

How Son can end up featuring under Thomas Frank

If we continue to assume that the Dane takes over the reins at Hotspur Way, then Son’s role will end up being more defined but maybe limited in a sense.

The South Korean international still has that excellence in maxing those movements behind the defensive line. He is excellent at making those diagonal runs in low-block or transitional phases. He does have that clutch mentality given how he has that knack of scoring important goals. He has that technical security under pressure as well.

But that being said, he doesn’t have that explosiveness anymore and cannot isolate defenders and beat his men in a 1v1 as regularly anymore. Son would, in a sense, also be ineffective in static buildup, as Frank’s mid-block structure may not end up suiting Son. And with the North Londoners expecting to sign a new wide forward, the 32-year-old’s role at N17 becomes more peripheral.

Let’s talk finances a bit…

With just a year having been left in his contract after this summer and the fact that the Saudi bid would be substantially in a £40-50m range complemented by the wages that it would also end up freeing (£190,000 a week). It does seem like a sale this summer would maximise his value before a steep decline (both in performance and expected market price that Levy can revive with his probable sale).

Son & a SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Son is a club icon, a leader in that dressing room and has the capacity to feature in multiple roles. Moreover, you can still slot him in a rotational role, and you’d see that he has the capacity to compete at the highest level.

Weakness

He is ageing and physically declining, especially in one-on-one ability. Having him in the roster would also mean that he’d end up blocking opportunities for a younger talent to develop instead.

Opportunities

Selling him can get Tottenham a decent transfer fee that can aid a couple of signings. And end up opening a position in the roster for a younger player.

Threats

There will be far-reaching commercial impact in the Asian market, and then to add to it, Tottenham would be losing a Champions League experience player for their return to competition.

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TTLB Opinion

If we are thinking emotionally, selling Son is a painful prospect, but it does come down as a necessity when you think a bit more strategically. Heung-Min Son is a Tottenham legend and his reputation will live on forever. But if it’s a £50m+ bid in the summer from Saudi Arabia, then Tottenham should give it serious thought. With Thomas Frank set to take charge, the tactical formation demands a more physically stronger or creatively mobile left sided attacker, and Son is no longer so for 40+ games a season. Maybe Having him stick around as a rotation option might be plausible, but that salary could pay for two critical squad additions in midfield or on the flanks.