Tottenham Eyes Four Star Players to Fill Son Heung-min's Boots
Following a decade of outstanding contributions, Son Heung-min has decided to end his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur.
The South Korean icon departs Spurs as a beloved figure, with the bonds and rapport he forged in north London extending far beyond his clinical finishing and consistent performance excellence.
Son's tally of 173 goals for Tottenham places him fifth in the club's all-time scoring charts, while his 127 precise league strikes position him among the Premier League's top 20 all-time scorers. His iconic status was cemented through a magnificent conclusion in Bilbao, as Spurs' Europa League triumph enabled Son to depart for California with a profound sense of achievement.
If anyone merited such a satisfying conclusion, it was undoubtedly Son.
How Spurs plan to progress without such a legendary figure remains uncertain. Mathys Tel's temporary arrangement from Bayern Munich became a permanent deal early in the summer, though Son's departure might compel the club to re-enter the transfer market for additional reinforcement.
Finding a direct substitute for such an exceptional scorer whose emotional impact is enormous simply isn't feasible, but here are four offensive targets Tottenham might explore.
1. Randal Kolo Muani
Tottenham showed interest in Kolo Muani during January, though the French striker chose to move to Juventus for the rest of the 2025–26 campaign.
The adaptable attacker flourished in Turin, netting eight goals across 16 Serie A matches, yet the Bianconeri haven't finalized terms with Paris Saint-Germain for a permanent acquisition. The European titleholders reportedly price Kolo Muani at €60 million (£52.2 million, $69.3 million), though they might consider another temporary deal featuring a mandatory purchase clause.
Kolo Muani appears to favor Juve, but the Italian club must make several adjustments before considering the Frenchman's acquisition for 2025–26 and beyond.
Therefore, an opportunity might exist for Spurs to intervene, with certain reports indicating they've renewed their pursuit of the 26-year-old. Kolo Muani represents the type of adaptable forward that Thomas Frank has successfully utilized previously.
2. Iliman Ndiaye
Son isn't the only player Spurs must replace during the transfer window's closing weeks. James Maddison's severe knee injury will sideline him for an extended duration, making it crucial to address his creative absence, especially with Dejan Kulusevski also unavailable.
Everton's Ndiaye presents an unconventional choice, yet he could help Spurs address multiple needs simultaneously. While his profile differs completely from Son and Maddison, he possesses sufficient versatility to fulfill various functions within Frank's adaptable tactical framework.
Ndiaye, who netted nine Premier League goals last season, has impressed during preseason with the Toffees, delivering exceptional moments with his ball-handling skills. He's an outstanding dribbler who proves extremely difficult to dispossess, and Frank will appreciate his tireless defensive contributions.
It's inevitable that Ndiaye will attract attention from Europe's top clubs, and Spurs would be smart to act ahead of the competition this summer.
3. Rodrygo
Should Spurs pursue a marquee acquisition, they need look no further than Real Madrid's Rodrygo.
The Brazilian star appears poised to exit the Spanish capital this summer following an underwhelming Club World Cup, though Rodrygo's future destination remains undecided. Arsenal and Liverpool feature among the Premier League clubs linked, while Spurs have only been loosely connected to a potential move for the 24-year-old.
Envisioning Rodrygo in Tottenham colors seems unlikely, given the north London club's historical difficulty in securing players of the Brazilian's caliber. Their previous attempt saw Paulo Dybala's image rights create insurmountable obstacles.
However, Spurs, who showed willingness to invest £60 million ($79.6 million) in Morgan Gibbs-White, apparently possess available funds, though whether they can meet Madrid's reported valuation—even if reduced from the initial €90 million (£78.6 million, $105.7 million) demand—and satisfy Rodrygo's salary expectations remains questionable. The winger might also prefer alternative destinations.
4. Rafael Leão
Leão has remained on the verge of elite status without fully achieving it since his Serie A MVP campaign in 2021–22, when he contributed 21 goals and assists while helping Milan secure the Scudetto.
His statistics have remained respectable since, yet his Lombardy tenure has been marked by unpredictability and disappointment. Leão's ability is exceptional, and there's a feeling that the Portuguese star might benefit from a fresh environment following a challenging 2024–25 season at San Siro.
Massimiliano Allegri's appointment has apparently lifted Leão's spirits, with the 26-year-old indicating that "everything has transformed" under the new coach.
Transfer speculation surrounding the 26-year-old has been minimal, with Milan positioned to command top dollar given Leão's contractual status and renewed satisfaction.
Nevertheless, if Spurs consider making a significant investment to replace Son, they should look no further than Leão, who can be devastating in counter-attacking situations and could become the centerpiece of Thomas Frank's vision in N17.