Son Heung-min transfer: Spurs ace eyes 2025 MLS switch

Son Heung-min transfer talk has resurfaced after new reports indicated the Tottenham captain is willing to cross the Atlantic in the summer of 2025, once his current deal in north London expires. Sources close to the South Korean superstar say he plans to honour the final 12 months of his Spurs contract before exploring an ambitious move to Major League Soccer, with Los Angeles FC understood to be leading the chase.

Son Heung-min transfer timeline and contract situation

The Son Heung-min transfer saga has, until now, rarely felt urgent. When the forward penned a four-year extension in July 2021, Tottenham expected to have ample time to build a trophy-challenging side around him. Yet the clock has ticked faster than anyone predicted. Son turns 33 next summer, and in a post-Harry Kane era, he has emerged as the irreplaceable face of Ange Postecoglou’s evolving squad.

• Contract expiry: 30 June 2025
• Weekly wage: £190,000 (reported)
• Buy-out clause: None — Spurs must negotiate or risk losing him for free
• Postecoglou’s stance: “We’re planning with Sonny front and centre for 2024/25.”

Although chairman Daniel Levy traditionally refuses to let high-value assets walk away for nothing, club insiders claim a gentleman’s agreement is in place. If Son delivers peak performance and leadership for one more season, Levy will grant him the freedom to select his next destination without obstruction.

Why MLS appeals to the Tottenham captain

MLS executives have monitored Son for years, recognising his global marketing pull across Asia, North America, and Europe. LAFC, blessed with deep pockets and Hollywood proximity, are front-runners, but Inter Miami, New York City FC, and the newly rebranded San Diego FC have also made discreet enquiries.

Commercial muscle

The Son Heung-min transfer would instantly supercharge MLS broadcast deals in South Korea and beyond. Adidas, Spurs’ kit partner and a major MLS sponsor, already sells more Son jerseys in Asia than any other Premier League player’s. A stateside switch would expand that revenue stream.

Competitive lure

Unlike many ageing stars who see MLS as a gradual wind-down, Son views the league’s growing quality as fertile ground for a fresh challenge. LAFC reached the CONCACAF Champions Cup final in 2023, while Messi’s Inter Miami captured global headlines. Friends who have made the leap — including former Spurs teammate Gareth Bale — speak positively about the league’s intensity and improved tactical demands.

Lifestyle factors

Los Angeles offers mild weather, thriving Korean communities in Koreatown and Orange County, and business opportunities in entertainment and technology. Sources say Son’s representatives have already scheduled exploratory meetings with West Coast media agencies about post-playing ventures.

What Tottenham stand to gain or lose

Tottenham’s hierarchy see two clear options:

1. Extend: Offer Son a new two-year deal with an optional third, potentially making him a one-club Premier League legend.
2. Celebrate and release: Allow him to leave on a free with gratitude, mirroring the respectful exits of club icons such as Ledley King.

From a footballing perspective, keeping Son for 2024/25 allows Postecoglou to blend rising talents like Brennan Johnson and Dane Scarlett with a proven elite finisher. Economically, missing out on a fee of £15-20 million (a realistic sale price given Son’s age) could be offset by Champions League qualification prize money should Spurs finish in the top four.

Squad planning implications

• Left-wing succession: Johnson, Ivan Perišić’s possible return, or a summer recruit.
• Captaincy: Cristian Romero and James Maddison are viewed as future skippers once the armband passes on.
• Marketing: Spurs’ Asian fanbase, solidified through Son’s decade of brilliance, remains a key revenue pillar.

Reaction from fans and pundits

Most Tottenham supporters on social media applaud Son’s loyalty and his decision to give the club one final push toward silverware. Pundits, however, debate the wisdom of losing a top scorer for nothing. Former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas told BBC Radio 5 Live, “If you put business aside, Sonny deserves the freedom to choose. He’s carried the club on and off the pitch.”

MLS commentators believe the Son Heung-min transfer would rival David Beckham’s 2007 arrival in terms of global impact. ESPN’s Herculez Gomez remarked, “MLS has never signed an Asian megastar at the peak of his brand power. This could open entirely new markets.”

Could the Son Heung-min transfer happen sooner?

While Levy’s gentleman’s agreement holds weight, football remains unpredictable. Should Spurs receive a substantial offer — rumoured to be in the £25 million region — in the final days of this summer’s window, they might be tempted. Yet sources insist Son’s camp has no intention of forcing a move.

Key dates to watch

• January 2025: Son free to sign a pre-contract with any non-English club.
• February 2025: MLS pre-season begins; LAFC would need to finalise Designated Player allocation.
• June 2025: Spurs’ Asia tour, potentially Son’s emotional farewell on home soil.
• July 2025: MLS secondary transfer window opens (likely landing spot).

Statistical snapshot of Son’s influence

• Premier League appearances: 408
• Goals: 172
• Assists: 85
• 2023/24 honours: Europa League winner, Premier League Goal of the Month (Oct)
• Captaincy record: 66% win rate since September 2023

Financial framework for an MLS deal

Designated Player slot: LAFC currently have one available following Carlos Vela’s contract expiry.
Salary expectations: £7 million per year, eclipsing Lorenzo Insigne’s record wage but offset by sponsorship.
Transfer cost: Free, but MLS clubs may pay Spurs a nominal fee to secure Son’s MLS rights ahead of schedule.

Opinion: the perfect ending for club and player

Tottenham supporters have long cherished Son not only for his lethal finishing but for his humility and relentless work ethic. Allowing him to fulfil a dream in MLS after another year of loyal service feels like the modern equivalent of a testimonial match: a mutual gesture of respect. From a strategic standpoint, Spurs can use the 2024/25 season to phase in a younger attacking core, while Hollywood prepares to welcome a genuine global superstar. The Son Heung-min transfer, if managed with transparency, could thus become a rare win-win narrative in a football landscape often dominated by acrimony and short-termism.