Son Heung-min in tears as he says goodbye to Tottenham and Fabrizio Romano confirms next club

Legendary Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has confirmed he has asked to leave the north London club this summer, describing the decision as the “most difficult decision of my career” and, with a lucrative move to the United States now gathering serious pace, Thomas Frank has explained how the club plans to replace the talismanic star.

The iconic star moved to Spurs in summer 2015 as a promising 23-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen, with manager at the time Mauricio Pochettino, paying £22m (€30m) for his services. Some 10 years, one very much long-awaited trophy and 173 goals later, the South Korean is now due to leave as a true legend of the game and with his place in Tottenham Hotspur folklore etched in stone forever.

Incredibly, Spurs only moved for Son after seeing two bids for Saido Berahino rejected by West Brom.

Now, speaking in a press conference from his native South Korea and ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Newcastle in which the player will start and captain the side, Son has confirmed he is ready to move on and bid farewell to his beloved Spurs.

“I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision,” said an emotional Son.

“It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision.

“I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time. I came to North London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.

“I want to say thank you to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love. I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision. I hope everyone can accept that and respect that.”

Son then confirmed that he made the decision to leave several weeks ago, telling only a handful of his teammates, though new boss Thomas Frank was made aware of his intentions before their first pre-season friendly against Reading.

Now linked with a move to the United States, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that talks over a move to LAFC…

IN-DEPTH ⚪🔵 Every completed Tottenham transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Frank pays tribute to Son as MLS transfer nears – Romano

Reports linking the 33-year-old with LAFC are nothing new and have been circulating in the press for several weeks now.

Confirming where the player will likely move next, Romano posted on X: ‘BREAKING: Heung-min Son has decided to leave Tottenham this summer. The player has informed Spurs management and also new manager Thomas Frank.

‘Negotiations underway with MLS side LAFC after he was also approached by Saudi clubs in May. MLS, most likely destination.’

Our sources confirmed Los Angeles’ interest earlier this week, though our reporter Fraser Fletcher has also been told that David Beckham’s Inter Miami could yet launch an offer to rival LA’s approach and pair the South Korean up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a dream new attack.

It’s also been revealed that Spurs will not stand in the player’s way and having named their price for the talismanic star, whose deal at the club is due to expire in June 2026.

Fourth on their all-time top scorers list behind Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith, his last competitive game for Spurs now looks like being the Europa League final victory over Manchester United, that saw the club end their painful 17-year wait for major silverware.

Spurs manager Thomas Frank was also quick to pay tribute to Son, saying: “For me personally, I would love to work with him. He is a fantastic person and player. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him from a distance.

“He has been here 10 years at Spurs, not just 10 years but 10 amazing years. He is a truly Spurs legend in every aspect. I actually think one of the best players who has ever played in the Premier League as a winger in my opinion.

“I like the club has been open to it because it is never easy to find that perfect timing and me coming in a little bit from the side I think it’s probably the perfect timing going out on a high.

“He’s been here for 10 years, won a well-deserved trophy. Been a key player for many seasons. It’s almost the perfect ending to a happy family.

“I think it’s very clear. It’s no secret that Sonny will start and will lead the team out as captain. So I’m looking forward to that in many ways and if it is to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it in South Korea, his home country in front of his home fans.

“That could potentially be a beautiful ending. First and foremost with the biggest respect to Sonny and what he’s done for the club.”

Frank was also asked on how Spurs move on from Son – with the north London club still active in the transfer market.

While Spurs have the option to buy a new wide player to replace Son, Frank talked up the options already at the club.

“First and foremost, when a great player is leaving a team other players have a chance to shine,” said Frank.

“Brennan Johnson is a player who could play on the left. Also, I think that Wilson Odobert did well against Arsenal and can play on the left and also Mathys Tel is a flexible player.

“I think we have some young promising players that hopefully can step up and take over from Sonny in the future.”

Tottenham transfer latest: Bayern star agrees to sign; Frank ‘serious’ about PSG star

One man who could be added to the attack may come from PSG, and reports claim Frank has a growing and ‘serious’ interest in acquiring the French attacker this summer and amid claims a one-time lucrative bid is set to be tabled.

Fraser Fletcher has also revealed strong interest in Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, who looks set to head to the Premier League this summer, though with two Premier League rivals also holding concrete interest.

Meanwhile, the full details of the loan deal Tottenham have agreed with Joao Palhinha have been revealed, and the Bayern Munich star is ‘open’ to turning the move permanent.

You decide: Should Spurs keep Son Heung-min?