Tottenham Hotspur is eyeing a January move for Espanyol winger Javi Puado as a potential alternative to Son Heung-min. This development comes as the club looks to the future, with Son’s long-term status at Spurs uncertain.
Son, 32, has been a cornerstone of Tottenham’s attack since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22 million. This season, he’s already contributed two goals and two assists across all competitions, building on his impressive 2023/2024 campaign where he notched 17 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League alone.
Despite his consistent performance, Son’s future at Tottenham is not set in stone. The club has the option to extend his contract by an additional year, which they are expected to trigger. However, this would only keep him at the club until 2026. In a recent press statement, Son addressed the uncertainty:
“We haven’t talked about anything yet,” Son said. “I am very focused on this season. At this age, every second is like a goal. I’m fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everybody at the club deserves.”
While Son remains committed to giving his all for Tottenham, the club’s management, including manager Ange Postecoglou and technical director Johan Lange, are proactively seeking options to bolster their attacking lineup.
Enter Javi Puado. The 26-year-old Espanyol player has caught Tottenham’s attention with his impressive goal-scoring record. Since the start of the 2023/2024 season, Puado has found the net 20 times across all competitions, showcasing his potential as a valuable addition to Spurs’ squad.
Tottenham’s interest in Puado was piqued during a scouting mission at the end of August. Originally there to observe their loanee Alejo Veliz in Espanyol’s match against Rayo Vallecano, Spurs scouts were impressed by Puado’s performance. In that game, which Espanyol won 2-1 with a dramatic 96th-minute goal from Veliz, Puado partnered with the Argentine in a makeshift striker role.
As Tottenham considers this potential January move, they’re also navigating a busy Premier League schedule. Their upcoming fixtures include matches against West Ham, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Ipswich Town, and Manchester City.
The interest in Puado reflects Tottenham’s forward-thinking approach to team building. While Son continues to be a crucial player for Spurs, his £190,000-per-week contract and advancing age mean the club must consider long-term alternatives. Puado, with his goal-scoring prowess and younger age, could represent the future of Tottenham’s attack.
This situation highlights the delicate balance clubs must strike between honoring their current stars and planning for the future. Son’s impact at Tottenham has been significant, with many considering him one of the Premier League’s best transfer bargains of the past decade. However, football’s relentless pace demands that clubs always look ahead.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Tottenham to see if they make a move for Puado or explore other options to complement and eventually succeed Son in their attacking lineup. Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that Tottenham is actively working to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and beyond.
