Instead of offering Son a long-term contract, Tottenham Hotspur activated a one-year extension option. With one more year left at Tottenham, Son praised Tottenham as the best club and also expressed his love for Tottenham.
Tottenham officially announced on the club's official website on the 7th (Korea time) that it signed a one-year extension contract with Son Heung-min. "I am happy to report that I will be with Son by next summer."
It was a predicted step. Rumors of a transfer to a big club have been poured out so far, but Tottenham has the right to decide. This is because Tottenham had the option to keep Son Heung-min, who was originally contracted until June 30, for another year.
"Tottenham launched an option to extend Son's contract by one year. This is an opportunity to end the club's wish to recruit Son as a free agent this summer," the British Telegraph reported on the day. "Barcelona was one of the big clubs in Europe that wanted to recruit Son through Boseman's rule after the end of the season. Before Tottenham launched the option, Son's contract was scheduled to expire within six months."
"Son Heung-min's contract is valid until 2026. The latest contract renewal was in 2021, and it was signed for four years. Tottenham had the right to extend the contract for another year. All Tottenham had to do was let Son know that they had activated the option. As far as we know, Tottenham activated this option and notified Son," he said, explaining that Tottenham had the right to activate the option to extend the contract.
Tottenham recently made a decision to extend his contract at a time when Spain's La Liga prestigious FC Barcelona's love call for Son Heung-min was also reported in the leading media.
Earlier, leading British and Spanish media reported that Barcelona would also offer Son Heung-min a two-year contract, following the lead of previous free agents, until Tottenham officially announced the activation of a one-year extension option. If this goes ahead, Son Heung-min joined Barcelona on July 1, 2025 and left on June 30, 2027.
The possibility of Son Heung-min's free transfer to Barcelona, which had been circulating only through Spanish media for three months since October last year, has grown as the British media confirmed it in the new year.
The Sun, a British public newspaper and media outlet that drew attention by exclusively reporting on the infighting of the Korean national soccer team in February last year, drew attention on the possibility of Son Heung-min's transfer to Barcelona on the 6th.
"Barcelona, which lacks cash, is chasing Son Heung-min shockingly, saying he is looking for a big transfer to FA," The Sun said. "Son Heung-min, who recently renewed his contract in 2021, is in his last year at Tottenham. He is free to negotiate with overseas clubs for pre-contracts as the transfer market opens in January."
"Barcelona is interested in four players who will become free agents," the British sports bible said on Sunday. "Barcelona coach Hanji Flick plans to reshuffle his team next summer. He expressed interest in the four players whose contracts with the current team will expire at the end of June. Jonathan Thar, Jo Sua Kimihi, Leroy Zane, and Son Heung-min." Attention was drawn to the fact that German players with German nationality or who speak German like Son Heung-min would be preferred by Barcelona coach Hans Dieter Flick.
The British daily Mail said more bluntly, Son could start negotiations with Barcelona from January and conclude it with a quick decision. "Barcelona is reviewing Son, who faces a difficult contract with Tottenham, to sign a free agent. Barcelona said it could reach an agreement with Son this month."
Mundo Deportivo, which also boasts the highest credibility in Spain, also claimed on the 7th that Son Heung-min made a counter-proposal to Barcelona. However, shortly after the report, Tottenham activated a one-year extension option, which all went wrong.
Son Heung-min cannot be recruited for free this summer. A transfer fee is required to recruit Son. For this reason, many say that Tottenham's decision to extend Son's contract by one year is a strategy to recover the transfer fee. There are also complaints that the treatment is not worthy of legend.
Son Heung-min is a living legend of Tottenham in name and reality. He has scored double-digit goals in all seasons except his first season as a player, and scored 125 goals in the Premier League, making him the third highest scorer among active players in the Premier League. Only Mohamed Salah (175 goals) and Jamie Vardy (142 goals) scored more goals than Son.
Son, however, is regrettable that he has won the title. While at Tottenham, Son advanced to the final of the UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup, but has yet to clinch the trophy. He was the runner-up in the league (2016-2017 season).
Nevertheless, considering his dedication to the club for a long time, Tottenham was able to provide Son with a legendary treatment. However, Tottenham didn't offer to renew the contract for a long time and instead invoked the option of a one-year extension. As the move to Barcelona was postponed repeatedly, it is hard to erase the impression that he had left Son behind.
Rumors of Son Heung-min's transfer to Barcelona were first raised through Spanish media last year, and while Tottenham and Son Heung-min's contract situation was sluggish earlier this year, the UK also reported it.
British public media The Sun reported on the 6th that "Son Heung-min's shocking transfer was included as the cash-strapped Spanish tycoon Barcelona is seeking four large free agents." Barcelona is reportedly trying to recruit Son Heung-min as an FA, and the Korean star's contract with Tottenham Hotspur is scheduled to expire after this season. 안전놀이터
Sports Bible also said, "Barcelona is interested in four players who will become FA players. Barcelona coach Han Ji-flick plans to reorganize his team next summer and has expressed interest in the four players whose contracts with his team will expire at the end of June," referring to Jonathan Ta (Leverkusen), Jo Sua Kimihi, Leroy Zane (Bayern Munich), and Son Heung-min.
The British Daily Mail said, "Barcelona has planned to recruit Tottenham captain Son Heung-min as an FA while he is struggling to sign a contract. The cash-strapped Catalan club can reach a pre-contract agreement with Son this month," predicting that Barcelona will confirm the recruitment through pre-negotiation with Son Heung-min, who is subject to the Boseman rule from January 1.
In the meantime, Son Heung-min could not hide his joy at the fact that he could play with Tottenham for another year.
According to the club's official channel on Tuesday, Son said, "I love this team. Tottenham is a dream club where all players want to play," expressing his feelings about signing an extension contract.
Son Heung-min said, "I'm so happy. I really liked the 10 years I spent with Tottenham Hotspur. I'm so proud to spend another year," adding, "As a captain, I need a lot of responsibility. A team that belongs to the Premier League is a team that every child dreams of. I think everything you do has to be right from the moment you take the helm, to make further progress, to be a good example and leader to all players."
"Sometimes it's really hard, but I think it's something you have to keep asking yourself to do. Whenever I go through a bad time, I always think about it, but when I hit the bottom, it means it's time to bounce back. I also think if I go through a bad time, it means that a good time is coming unconditionally," he added.
Son Heung-min is delighted with the extension of his contract with Tottenham. He does not seem to care much about Tottenham's failure to treat him as a legend. There seems to be no regret that the transfer to the big club has been canceled.
With Tottenham invoking a one-year extension option, attention is now being paid to whether to offer Son Heung-min a long-term contract or sell it in the summer for a transfer fee.
Son Heung-min reportedly wants to renew his multi-year contract for about three years while maintaining his current salary.