Tottenham Hotspur are looking at one of the most emotionally charged transitions in the modern history at Hotspur Way. Following a decade of his rapidness complemented by some big goals and an even bigger smile, skipper Son Heung-min has confirmed that he will not be present in that roster at N17 when next season comes around, and with him goes a legacy that few could ever replicate.
The 33-year-old officially spoke about his exit during a press conference in his home soil of South Korea, which ended up putting an end to months of transfer rumours, and this will open the door for him to move to LAFC in what could be an MLS record transfer.
Son bids adieu to Tottenham with over 170 goals and 100 assists to his name alongside that shiny Europa League medal, but now comes the hard part for the chiefs at Hotspur Way in finding someone who is capable enough to fill his void. And here are three players that we think Tottenham should be seriously thinking about moving for in order to replace Sonny.
Three players could take over the reigns from Son at Tottenham
Rodrygo Goes
Rodrygo is one of the more marquee options that Tottenham can consider to bring to Hotspur Way this summer window. He is someone who has that genuine game-changing capacity line that of Son (as we have seen time and again during his time in the Spanish capital). And like the latter, he can also play along the front line.
We saw how Carlo Ancelotti generally used him in more of a free role to cause chaos in the opponents final third.
Tottenham are already looking to move for Rodrigo, given the reports about a possible €100m bid by Daniel Levy in order to try and accomplish his signatures, which shows that the North Londoners are seriously interested in landing his signatures.
Moreover, the fact that the Brazilian forward is looking to leave Real Madrid this summer, with Xabi Alonso seemingly favouring others at the recently concluded Club World Cup.
That being said, it won’t be straightforward to attain his signatures given that the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are sniffing around to sign him. But if Levy is looking to make a statement signing, he is the one.
Eberechi Eze
If Tottenham wants to dip into domestic assurance, then it has to be Eze. The England international is a player that Daniel Levy has admired for a long time, and given his traits, he is someone who has that capacity to thrive in Thomas Frank’s fluid 3-4-2-1. Now Eze will not be a like-for-like replacement for Son in terms of style, but he brings a lot of other capabilities, starting with flair complemented by close control and a serious eye for goal from midfield zones.
Eze will not come cheap either, but he brings Premier League-proven ability with him. And moreover, Eze comes to North London in his prime, which means he has that capacity to fill the creative gap that Tottenham have been trying to fill for years (especially when they are facing a low block).
But it is more than that for me, given that Eze looks ready to step up off the pitch as well. You get a homegrown, confident player who is tactically quite toned.
That being said, he prefers a move to Arsenal, and a lot of convincing would need to be done if Tottenham are to secure his services.
Malick Fofana
Then comes Malick Fofana, someone who quite fits along the ‘buy them young’ transfer policy that the North Londoners have adopted of late.
Fofana is someone who is more than just a high-potential youngster; he has shown that with his sparkling performances for a struggling Lyon side last season. The Belgian winger has that rapidness and ability to dribble which bodes quite well given how he is a fearless carrier in the final third.
That being said, he is still a bit raw, and Thomas Frank will need to work on him, but there is a huge upside if Tottenham can attain his signature.
With Lyon open to offers, Levy should be considering the Belgian ace as well for a possible move this summer.
Which of the above three would you consider at N17 this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.