Tottenham’s Dilemma: Should Spurs Bet Big on Extending Son Heung-min’s Contract?

Tottenham Hotspur is working to extend Son Heung-min’s contract until June 2026. His current deal expires at the end of this season, and the club wants him to stay for at least one more year. Although Son has faced injuries this season, missing six matches, he has still shown his quality with three goals and three assists. Despite some mixed opinions about his future, there are several reasons why extending his contract could make sense.
One reason is his leadership. After the departures of Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane, Son has become the captain of the team. While not the loudest leader, he commands respect from both his teammates and fans. His personality is highly valued by coach Ange Postecoglou, and other potential leaders in the squad, like Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski, have not yet stepped up in the same way. Losing Son could mean losing one of the club’s long-serving players and a respected captain.
Another reason for extending Son’s contract is his potential role as a mentor for younger players. Tottenham has not signed a replacement for Son in the long term. Mikey Moore, a 17-year-old winger, is seen as the future of that position, but it may be too soon for him to take over immediately. Son can help him develop over the next year or so, making it easier for Moore to eventually step into the starting role.
From a financial perspective, extending Son’s contract avoids the risk of losing him for free. There have been rumors about him moving to the Saudi Pro League, but if he stays at Spurs, the club can still get a transfer fee for him if he leaves later. Since Son will be turning 33 in the summer of 2025, any departure would likely result in a respectable fee, which benefits Tottenham’s finances.
On the other hand, there are some downsides to extending Son’s contract. One concern is his salary. Son is currently the highest-paid player at Tottenham, earning £190,000 per week. While the details of his new contract are not yet clear, it’s likely his salary will remain high or even increase. Tottenham may be taking a risk by committing to such a large salary for a player who has already missed several matches this season due to injury. Instead, the club could use that money to sign a younger player who could take over from Son in the near future.
Another issue is Son’s injury record. Although he has generally been healthy throughout his career, this season he has already missed six games due to injuries. After recovering from one injury, he was quickly pushed back into action and struggled with another setback. Even the fittest players can experience injury problems as they age, and there is uncertainty about whether Son can remain injury-free over the next two years.
In conclusion, extending Son Heung-min’s contract until June 2026 presents both benefits and risks. His leadership and ability to mentor younger players like Mikey Moore are valuable assets, and keeping him under contract avoids the possibility of losing him for free. However, his high salary and recent injury issues make it a gamble for Tottenham. The club will have to weigh these factors carefully as they decide whether to continue with their plans to extend his stay at the club.