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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Tottenham star backed to be handed captain’s armband if Son Heung-min leaves this summer

Son Heung-min’s potential sale in August could have a knock-on effect on the future of Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur

Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the appointment of Thomas Frank as their new head coach after weeks of deliberation.

The Danish tactician will want to rebuild the squad as per his own vision, trying to make the North Londoners competitive on multiple fronts next season. The new Spurs boss’ priority will be to get the players back on board and kickstart a new era at White Hart Lane.

There are several Tottenham players whose futures remain up in the air. Two of those are seasoned campaigners Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min.

Cristian Romero has been heavily linked with a departure from Spurs. The Argentinean international has already expressed his desire to play in La Liga, with Atletico Madrid holding concrete interest in the central defender.

Heung-Min Son in Tottenham white, with a faint Fenerbahce yellow and navy overlay, hinting at a potential reunion with Mourinho
Son Heung-min could be sold after the friendly fixture vs Newcastle United in South Korea on August 3.

It is not surprising that the 27-year-old is wanted by Atletico Madrid, regardless of him enduring an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign. Reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and key decision-makers will try their best to convince Romero to stay at N17 for one more season.

And the 2022 World Cup winner could be offered the armband after the latest update on current skipper Son Heung-min, which might convince the central defender to remain at Tottenham. Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold claims the South Korean international is closer to leaving the North Londoners than ever, with cash-rich Saudi Pro League clubs vying for his signature.

Son Heung-min is also open to a departure, but according to a report from BBC Sport, the Lilywhites are commercially contracted to have their captain play in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea on August 3. However, he could be sold after the clash with Newcastle, and Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham feels this could have a knock-on effect on both Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Cristian Romero in Tottenham white, with an Atlético Madrid red and white backdrop, symbolizing his potential transfer target status
Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham remains up in the air amid Atletico Madrid links

“Romero will be the new captain if Son departs the club,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.

“If Romero stays, that could lead to Bentancur renewing his contract, and that would be the new bedrock of Tottenham moving forward.

“I know we’ve seen those comments from Diego Simeone. However, at the moment, it doesn’t look as though Atletico are willing to pay what Romero is worth. This is a player being eyed up as the next Argentina captain.

“Therefore, selling him on the cheap is not an option, and it doesn’t look like Atletico are willing to pay the amount of money Romero is worth.”

Tottenham Hotspur are set to embrace big changes in the squad this summer, with Ange Postecoglou’s future also under heavy scrutiny. Despite guiding Spurs to Europa League glory, Ange Postecoglou is fighting for his job. There are high chances of him getting sacked and being replaced by a new boss before the 2025/26 season commences. In recent weeks, Brentford manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunners to replace the Australian at N17. While Frank has no intentions of swapping Brentford for Spurs, it is clear that Daniel Levy is on the lookout for a new manager. Meanwhile, following a dismal Premier League campaign, big changes are also expected to arrive in the playing squad, and that could involve one of their talismanic figures being sold. Almost 10 years after arriving at the club from Bayer Leverkusen, Son Heung-min finally lifted a trophy in a Spurs shirt when Postecoglou’s side beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final. Regardless of that, the club are reportedly ready to cut ties with their skipper, who appears past his best and endured a substandard campaign. Saudi Arabian clubs are showing an interest in the 32-year-old forward of late. Tottenham are ready to offload Son Heung-min, hoping to get a decent fee as this summer offers the best opportunity for them to cash him in. He has entered the final year of his contract, which is something the cash-rich Saudi Pro League are perhaps looking to take advantage of. Besides Son’s exit rumours, Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur’s futures also remain uncertain at White Hart Lane. The South American duo have been linked with a move to Spain in recent weeks and months. As crucial members of Ange’s squad that won the Europa League and their future project, the exits of Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur would be big setbacks for Tottenham. However, reputable podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham feels Son’s departure could lead to both Romero and Bentancur staying at Tottenham. “If Son was to depart this summer, Romero might be named captain,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News. “Therefore, that could convince him to potentially remain at Tottenham. A lot of these things are like jigsaw puzzles. Ben Davies and Son are good friends. Therefore, if Son leaves, maybe Davies does too. “However, that could lead to Romero remaining as Tottenham captain, which could convince Bentancur, who is a great friend of Romero, to remain at Tottenham too. I think there are a lot of factors at play which are heavily linked to each other here.” Tottenham would be searching for a new skipper if Son departs. Romero appears to be the likeliest to take the captaincy reins from Son, provided he stays. The Argentinean seems to have his heart set on a move to La Liga, with Atletico Madrid desperately vying for his signature. Bentancur, meanwhile, has been less influential as a leader on the pitch as compared to Romero, but Spurs wanting to tie him down to a new contract suggests he is being highly valued as a player. Truth be told, Son’s potential sale would likely not have a knock-on effect on both Romero and Bentancur as their futures are not linked in any way. But, Ange’s possible exit might change the scenario for the trio and we could see all of them bidding adieu after winning the European trophy.
Son’s departure could have a knock-on effect on the futures of Romero and Bentancur

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Son’s sale could perhaps bring in significant investment for the North London club in the coming months. Despite entering the final year of his contract, only a sizeable bid from his suitors could force Levy to consider selling the experienced forward in.

With Son turning 33 in July, and his contract expiring next year, this feels like the only chance Tottenham have of cashing in on him. Should Son depart, there is a big possibility Thomas Frank hands the captaincy reins to Romero, which could prove a big factor in him staying put at the club for another season amid Atletico interest.

Rohan Sengupta
Rohan Sengupta
An avid Football fan and writer. Can often be found rambling on Twitter engaging in heated/constructive discussions.

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