Transfer Centre

Tottenham 'expected' to trigger contract option for 17-goal attacker

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2024

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly prepare to trigger an extension in the contract of Son Heung-min, who could become a free agent in 2025.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing to trigger a 12-month extension in the contract of one of their integral attackers.

Upon Ange Postecoglou's arrival last summer, Son Heung-min was promoted to Lilywhites captain, having seen Harry Kane depart the club and Hugo Lloris frozen out of the squad.

The South Korea international did not hit his usual heights in the 2022-23 season, although the club's managerial situation did not help him, as he worked under all of Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason.

However, with Postecoglou at the helm, Son was back to his best in the 2023-24 campaign with 17 goals and 10 assists in 35 Premier League games, sometimes playing on the left and other times operating as the central striker.

The 31-year-old's efforts were ultimately not enough to propel Tottenham back into the Champions League, though, and he will only be playing Europa League football next season, which will be his last for Tottenham as things stand.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring on March 29, 2024 © Reuters

Tottenham's Son 'problem' emerges despite new contract

Son is now in the last 12 months of his current deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he has amassed a total of 162 goals and 84 assists in 408 games since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

The attacker recently admitted that he had been left "a little uncomfortable" by speculation surrounding his future, while refusing to guarantee that he would be in North London for the next few years.

However, Football Insider claims that the Lilywhites are expected to take up their option to extend Son's contract by another year, keeping him on the books at the club until the summer of 2026.

Son will be on the brink of turning 34 when those terms expire - he will celebrate his 32nd birthday on Monday - but what the future holds for him beyond the end of the 2025-26 season is not clear.

The report adds that the Lilywhites may run into a problem when trying to commit Son to a new long-term deal, as they may struggle to convince that North London is the best place for him to fulfil his silverware ambitions.

Son Heung-min celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur on December 10, 2023 © Reuters

Spurs remain without a single piece of silverware since their run to EFL Cup glory in the 2007-08 campaign, although they have come agonisingly close to Champions League glory and another EFL Cup crown during Son's tenure.

Son contract extension key in possible summer of exits

Keeping Son on the books for at least one more year is imperative for Tottenham transfer chiefs, not only because of his stellar form in 2023-24, but also ahead of some likely exits from North London in the coming weeks.

The South Korean would sometimes operate as a number nine in 2023-24 during Richarlison's absences, and the Brazilian - who has never really found his feet at Tottenham - could be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in.

Furthermore, left winger Bryan Gil should not continue for North London for much longer either, and as Spurs could do with improvements in a couple of positions this summer, they may be able to put their plans to sign a new striker on ice for 12 months if Son's immediate future is secured.