A shocking revelation has emerged regarding Son Heung-min’s future with his club, Tottenham Hotspur.
On January 8, global sports outlet ESPN reported that “Tottenham have triggered the one-year contract extension for Son Heung-min. With this decision, all speculation surrounding Son’s future will be put to rest.”
However, the report added, “Son Heung-min had hoped for a long-term contract. Tottenham made the decision to activate the extension option without any discussions with Son’s representatives.” This suggests that the club acted unilaterally, disregarding the player's preferences.
Previously, on January 7, Tottenham announced via their official website that they had exercised the one-year extension option in Son’s contract. The club stated, “We are pleased to confirm that we have extended Son Heung-min’s contract until 2025.”
The nature of the extension option had sparked considerable debate. It was unclear whether the clause required mutual agreement between the player and the club or if it could be executed solely at the club's discretion.
ESPN’s report has intensified the controversy. If true, it indicates that Tottenham has the authority to enforce the extension without the player’s consent.
Speculation about Son’s dissatisfaction with the extension option had circulated even before the official announcement. In November 2024, British outlet TBR Football reported, “Tottenham captain Son Heung-min received contentious news from the club. Tottenham informed Son’s camp that there are no current plans to negotiate a new contract with the Korean winger.”
The report added, “The player’s camp was reportedly shocked by this decision.”
Spanish outlet Fichajes echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Son Heung-min is going through a tough period in his relationship with Tottenham’s board. He is dissatisfied with the proposed contract extension.” It further explained, “Son believes his performances warrant a better deal in terms of both duration and salary. The one-year extension under the current terms does not reflect his contributions to the club.”
These reports collectively suggest that Son preferred a renegotiation for a new contract rather than a simple extension.
Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son has yet to lift a major trophy despite coming close multiple times—finishing second in the Premier League during the 2016-2017 season and as runners-up in the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League. Winning a title remains a critical goal for him.
Tottenham are currently competing for silverware in the League Cup and UEFA Europa League. They are considered one of the top contenders for the Europa League title this season.