To the U.S. eventually? MLS 1st tier reporter Son Heung-min makes progress in negotiations with LAFC Media SON wants Messi-level salary
Jul 29, 2025
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Tom Bogert, who is considered the first tier of the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), said on the 29th (Korea time) that Son Heung-min's transfer to LA FC is progressing. Bogert said `LAFC believes Son Heung-min can be recruited towards the end of the summer transfer market and is currently in the process of agreeing terms with Son Heung-min.'
He added: `Son Heung-min is currently on Tottenham's pre-season tour of Asia and is contractually required to play in a friendly against Newcastle United in South Korea on Aug. 3. If Tottenham sells Son before the match, they will suffer significant commercial losses, so sources expect there will be no official action until then,' he said. `When Son returns to London after the Asian tour, discussions will take place with manager Thomas Frank on his role and playing time this season.'
Finally, he said, `Tottenham is happy to keep Son Heung-min and release him as a free agent next summer. But if Son wants a new challenge in another league, I won't stop him. Son is a popular figure in Tottenham's locker room and is highly regarded both inside and outside the stadium. That's why Tottenham will give him the freedom to leave now, or stay for another 12 months."
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Recently, there have been a series of reports on Son Heung-min's trip to LA FC. Spain's As said on the 27th that `Son Heung-min is LA FC's top target this summer,' adding that `LA FC's board of directors is making great efforts to recruit Son Heung-min, and the desire for him is very clear. Recently, LA FC general manager John Sorrington visited England to recruit Son Heung-min' he said.
He also reported quite specific negotiations. `To negotiate with Son Heung-min, Torrington did not attend the joint owner's announcement event held a few weeks ago,' As said."This negotiation was planned a few weeks ago.' Finally, `LAFC is coordinating the final details of the contract with Tottenham and Son Heung-min.` The expected timing of Son's joining is August. In addition to Son Heung-min, LA FC wants to recruit three to four players, including Thomas Muller, according to the report.
Earlier in the day, Fabrizio Romano, one of the top authorities in the European transfer market, said on his SNS, "'LA FC approached Son Heung-min to recruit him' LA FC is trying to recruit him, but Son Heung-min will have the final say' Coach Frank Thomas and Son Heung-min will discuss the future, he said.
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Bogert also posted on social media that `LAFC is talking to recruit Son Heung-min' and `It's still early days, but LAFC is pushing to recruit Son Hong-min this summer. It's going to be a huge recruitment.
This is not the first time Son Heung-min has been connected to LA FC. The British newspaper 'TBR Football' reported that 'LAFC negotiated the transfer of Tottenham captain Son Heung-min to the United States. Then 'Frank is open to selling Son Heung-min. But it's up to the player himself to make the final decision on his future' Son Heung-min is currently attracting attention from Saudi Arabian clubs as well as the United States, and has a significant opportunity to leave Tottenham this summer'
LA FC currently has a designated player slot. Olivier Giroud, who played for Arsenal in the past, recently transferred to France League 1 Lille. A designated player is a unique rule of MLS that means the pureness of being able to pay a salary that exceeds the upper limit. Each team can have a maximum of three people. In other words, it is a strategy to attract famous European players to the league. MLS recently recruited Rodrigo de Paul, who was called Lionel Messi's escort, in this way. De Paul wore an inter Miami uniform.
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But Son Heung-min's trip to LA FC soon went below the surface. The British newspaper 'The Mirror'Son Heung-min seriously considered going to the U.S. Major League Soccer, but decided to reject LAFC's offer in the end. England 'The Sun' also 'LA FC is expected to fail to recruit Son Heung-min' and 'Son Heung-min's transfer to the U.S. is expected to be difficult at this stage. LA FC will have to wait until this winter's transfer market or next summer to take Son Heung-min.
However, with this report, rumors of Son Heung-min's transfer to LA FC have been rekindled. MLS's second transfer window opens on July 24 and ends on August 21. If Son Heung-min goes to LA FC, he is expected to reunite with Hugo Lloris, who has been a teammate in the past.
The Sun said 'Tottenham appointed Frank and actively entered the transfer market. As for Son Heung-min, he will accept the offer if the transfer fee is between 15 million and 20 million pounds (about 27.8 billion won and 37.1 billion won). There is a possibility that Son Heung-min will leave." However, he stressed that the transfer of MLS depends on Son Heung-min agreeing to the transfer.
When Son Heung-min showed sluggish performance in preseason games, negative public opinion continued. Citing comments made by Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the Football Insider reported that `Tottenham is set to make a decision on Son Heung-min's future, and negotiations between the player himself and the club will proceed.' Robinson appeared on the media's podcast 'Inside Talk'" As Tottenham advanced to the European Champions League, it is necessary to expand the team", he said. `If Son Heung-min decides that 'now is the time to leave' and delivers his intention to transfer to the club, Tottenham will respect that decision and negotiate in a way that benefits as much as possible.'
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Football Insider quoted Brown as saying that `Tottenham is ready to take offers on Son Heung-min, who is drawing attention from Saudi and MLS clubs.' He then said, `Frank is preparing for a future without Son Heung-min.'
"They are not in the same position as Son Heung-min, but Thomas seems to think that he can strengthen his attacking options and replace Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min is a legend of Tottenham, but time comes to everyone in the end." When a reasonable offer comes, Tottenham will be happy to send it, and Son Heung-min will also seek new opportunities."
Nevertheless, Tottenham continued its middle-of-the-road moves. There is a reason. On the 21st, Matt Law of the British media 『Telegraph" reported that 'the key player clause" is behind the fact that Son Heung-min's transfer this summer has not been decided for sure. Tottenham will tour Asia in Seoul and Hong Kong this summer. After meeting with Arsenal in Hong Kong, he moved to Korea to play a Coupang Play series with Newcastle. Tottenham have consistently made huge profits by visiting South Korea over the past few years.
The Telegraph explained that `Son Heung-min's participation directly affects the tour's profits.' If Son Heung-min is removed from the Seoul tour list, Tottenham will lose 75% of its game allowance. Even if Son Heung-min accompanies him, his profits will be halved if he does not play in the game. The reason Tottenham is coming on tour to far away Asia is because of its economic aspects. However, it may be difficult for Tottenham, especially Chairman Daniel Levy, to miss the profit in front of their eyes because Son Heung-min is not played. The Telegraph predicted that it is virtually impossible for Tottenham to transfer Son Heung-min (to another team) before the Asian tour because of these provisions.
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Spurs Web reported on the 28th that Tottenham is ready to cut his transfer fee by almost half so that Son Heung-min can realize the transfer he wants. Tottenham then set a transfer fee of about 35 million pounds (about 65.1 billion won) for Son Heung-min in anticipation of Saudi clubs' approach. However, the situation changed after it was revealed that Son Heung-min was not interested in going to Saudi Arabia and preferred to move to the U.S. The Tottenham leadership recognizes that LA FC and other MLS clubs cannot pay Son a large transfer fee. If Son Heung-min officially announces his intention to go to the U.S., he is said to be willing to lower the transfer fee to about 15 million to 20 million pounds (about 27.9 billion won to 37.2 billion won)."
Additionally, Give Me Sports said the possibility of going to Saudi Arabia is still open. The Saudi Arabian club, which has not given up hope to recruit Son from 2023, has also joined the recruitment campaign, the media said. `According to a Saudi Arabian source, we are ready to offer 40 million U.S. dollars and additional options for Son Heung-min.' Son Heung-min is increasingly likely to leave wherever he goes.
Of course, there are voices that Son Heung-min should stay. Citing an interview with Brian King, who was a scout for Tottenham, the Tottenham Hotspur News' reported that Son Heung-min's stay could be of great help to the team. "If I were in Tottenham's position, I'd keep him for this season, and I'd extend Son's one-year contract next summer," King said.
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Economic reasons also played a part. England 'Football Insider' said 'If Tottenham sends Son Heung-min, it will face huge losses every year' Citing a report by the Daily Mail'Football Insider', Son Heung-min, the icon of Korean soccer, has become synonymous with Tottenham, adding that Son Heung-min's financial appeal is very important to Tottenham's brand worldwide, especially in Asia. According to industry experts, the loss of fan base revenue due to Son Heung-min's departure will amount to 40 to 60 million pounds (about 744 to 111.6 billion won) per season.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
