Tottenham £40m transfer would be insult to Son Heung-min legacy
The departure of Son Heung-min after a decade of sterling service leaves a gaping hole in Tottenham’s attack that manager Thomas Frank must fill wisely this summer.
While the £55 million acquisition of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham adds quality, replacing Son’s consistent output 11 goals and 12 assists last season alone requires more than just one signing.
The latest rumors linking Spurs with a £40 million move for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish present both opportunity and risk as the club navigates this pivotal transition.
Grealish’s potential availability stems from his diminished role under Pep Guardiola, making just 20 Premier League appearances last term with minimal impact a solitary goal and assist.
Yet the 28-year-old winger remains a tantalizing prospect, his technical brilliance and ball-carrying ability offering attributes that could thrive in Frank’s system.
However, concerns linger about whether he can provide the relentless consistency that made Son indispensable the South Korean never went more than five league games without contributing last season even as his minutes decreased.
Comparative Analysis: Son vs Grealish (2024/25 Premier League)
| Metric | Son Heung-min | Jack Grealish |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 34 | 20 |
| Goals | 11 | 1 |
| Assists | 12 | 1 |
| Minutes per G/A | 131 | 900 |
| Chance Creation | 2.3 per 90 | 1.7 per 90 |
This statistical contrast highlights the monumental challenge of replacing Son’s productivity. Grealish’s undeniable talent has been stifled at City, but his last prolific season—2022/23 at Aston Villa with 6 goals and 10 assists—shows glimpses of what he could offer if made the focal point of an attack.
The reported £40 million fee seems reasonable for a player of his caliber, though wages could prove problematic given City’s lucrative contract.
Tottenham’s interest reflects a calculated gamble—backing Frank’s man-management to revive Grealish’s career while hoping Kudus matures into a more consistent performer.
The Ghanaian showed flashes of brilliance at West Ham but struggled with inconsistency, mirroring concerns about Grealish.
Relying on two mercurial talents to replace one of the Premier League’s most reliable attackers carries inherent risk, especially with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel still adapting to English football.
Son’s legacy extends beyond statistics. His relentless work ethic, durability, and big-game contributions set standards that new arrivals must meet.
Grealish, while brilliant on his day, has faced criticism for fluctuating intensity levels—a stark contrast to Son’s model professionalism.
This cultural aspect looms large in Tottenham’s decision-making; replacing not just goals but leadership and mentality.
Financial considerations add another layer. At 28, Grealish offers little resale value, meaning any deal must yield immediate returns.
Tottenham’s hierarchy must weigh whether his potential revival outweighs pursuing younger alternatives like Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze or Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, though both would command higher fees.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Spurs formalize their interest or pivot toward other targets. What’s certain is that Son’s departure marks the end of an era—one that demands thoughtful succession planning rather than reactive purchases.
Grealish represents high-risk, high-reward, but Tottenham must ensure any move aligns with the disciplined, high-intensity identity Frank is instilling.