Exclusive: Son Heung-min Pauses MLS Switch – Eyes Next Window Instead

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has opted to put a potential move to Major League Soccer on hold, with sources indicating that the South Korean star could revisit the opportunity in the next transfer window. For now, Son remains committed to leading Spurs into their UEFA Champions League return following their Europa League triumph.

LAFC Approach Confirmed – But Move Delayed

Football-Asian.com reported on 4 July that Son had been approached by Los Angeles FC, but chose to defer a decision in favour of another run in Europe’s premier club competition. The story was later confirmed by The Sun’s Spurs correspondent Tom Barclay, who wrote:

“Los Angeles FC look set to miss out on Tottenham’s Son Heung-min — for now. A move to America is unlikely at this stage, meaning the California outfit will have to wait either until January or another 12 months.”

Son is expected to return to Hotspur Way next week to join pre-season preparations under newly appointed head coach Thomas Frank.

Their face-to-face meeting will be a key factor in shaping Son’s future, as they discuss his role and standing in the team.

Still, given Son’s decade of service to the club and his current status as captain, it is likely that Frank – formerly of Brentford – will favour retaining him for the upcoming campaign.

Commercial Realities: A Key Factor Behind Son’s Decision

Spurs’ decision is not purely a footballing one. Commercial considerations have also played a crucial role. As Football-Asian.com previously revealed on 11 June, Tottenham are contractually obliged to pay penalties should Son not participate in their pre-season match against Newcastle United on 3 August in Seoul – a fixture that is part of the 2025 Coupang Play Series.

That clause fuelled speculation earlier in the summer that the Seoul match could serve as a farewell appearance, especially when Son’s future was uncertain prior to Spurs' Europa League victory. However, the club’s success in that tournament secured a Champions League place and shifted Son’s focus toward staying.

Extension Option Triggered – and Why It Matters

Following the Europa League triumph, Son has increasingly leaned towards fulfilling the one-year extension clause that Tottenham activated in January. While the 32-year-old has remained open to a move to Saudi Arabia in principle – a shift from his previous stance – he has long preferred the idea of ending his career in MLS.

According to sources who spoke to Football-Asian.com, one MLS club that has shown strong interest in Son recently made contact with his camp. Even while on holiday in South Korea, Son maintained communication with representatives from the club, signalling mutual interest — though no immediate move is expected.

Window Timing, Salary Cap and Sponsorship Entanglements

One of the logistical challenges is the MLS summer transfer window, which opens on 24 July and closes on 21 August. That timeline overlaps with Tottenham’s pre-season tour, including the 3 August showcase in Seoul, where Son is expected to lift the Europa League trophy in front of a home crowd.

Additionally, several of Tottenham’s sponsorship and commercial deals across South Korea and the wider Asian region are said to include clauses that would allow renegotiation should Son depart.

As one football industry source explained, Son’s status as a Tottenham player is central to the club’s marketing and commercial structure in Asia.

Another anonymous source told Football-Asian.com that the club's decision to activate the one-year extension in January came after Son declined a longer-term contract. The same source suggested that Tottenham’s ongoing efforts to attract outside investment – particularly from Middle Eastern sources – were tied closely to Son’s continued presence in the squad.

Chairman Daniel Levy, who is said to hold a close relationship with Son, reportedly views this project as crucial. And the potential investors have made clear that Son’s involvement is a non-negotiable prerequisite. Should Son depart, a replacement of equivalent star power would be needed – something the current transfer market makes extremely difficult.

Why MLS, Not Saudi Arabia – and the Numbers Behind It

While clubs from Saudi Arabia could theoretically offer enough to offset Tottenham’s potential commercial losses, LAFC’s financial flexibility is far more limited. Any transfer fee paid for Son would significantly reduce their ability to offer him a competitive wage under MLS’s salary structure.

In this context, Son’s short-term retention is also seen as a compromise that satisfies both Tottenham’s footballing and business interests. Levy is unlikely to pressure the player into a move this summer, especially since Son becomes a free agent in 2026.

Europe Now, America Later?

For Son, the allure of MLS has never disappeared. But timing remains critical. The 2025 MLS regular season ends on 18 October, with the play-offs concluding in late November. For a player aiming to be in peak condition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – held in the United States – that schedule may not be ideal for maintaining form.

A move in January 2026, just ahead of the new MLS season, is more likely. Alternatively, Son may complete the 2025/26 campaign with Spurs and join an MLS club as a free agent before the World Cup kicks off.

More Than Football – Son’s Bigger Mission

Son’s long-held ambitions go beyond club success. Having finally lifted silverware with Tottenham, the national team captain is now targeting three key international milestones:
– The 2026 FIFA World Cup
– The 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia
– And possibly the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

While Son benefitted from military exemption thanks to gold at the 2018 Jakarta–Palembang Asian Games, he had hoped to participate as an overage player in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but was unable to do so. The disappointment of Korea’s 2016 Rio Olympics quarter-final exit to Honduras also lingers for the forward.

With both the World Cup and the Olympics being hosted in the U.S., Son is said to be increasingly drawn to finishing his playing career in North America – and in symbolic fashion.

One Last Dance at Tottenham?

For now, all signs point to Son staying in North London for the 2025/26 season – a campaign that could serve as his “last dance” at Tottenham. A new deal is not out of the question, particularly if Son rediscovers top form under new manager Thomas Frank.

In the end, everything will hinge on how the new Spurs era unfolds. But for the fans, one thing is certain: Son Heung-min will wear the lilywhite shirt a little longer.