Son asks to leave Tottenham amid reported advanced talks with LAFC

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min wants to leave the club this summer.

The South Korean star confirmed during a press conference Friday that he informed new manager Thomas Frank of his desire to depart after 10 years with the Premier League side.

"It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge," Son said, according to Alasdair Gold of Football London.

Son added, "I came to north London as a kid. A boy came to London who couldn't speak English. I leave this club as a man. Thanks to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love."

Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC are in advanced talks with Tottenham over signing Son, according to GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert and Ben Jacobs. LAFC are trying to broker a deal worth around $20 million (£15 million), but Spurs are hoping to receive closer to $26 million (£20 million) for one of the most popular players in the club's recent history.

Saudi Arabian clubs have also reportedly shown interest in Son, but the former Puskas Award winner prefers LAFC. Spurs, in recognition of his decade of service to the club, apparently want to make his exit as smooth as possible. Son is already close to reaching an agreement over personal terms with LAFC, Bogert and Jacobs add.

"He told me a couple of days ago that he'd be leaving Tottenham this summer," Spurs midfielder James Maddison said Saturday. "It's weird for me. Since I joined the Premier League, even with Leicester City, Sonny is Tottenham and Tottenham is Sonny to me."

Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 173 times in 450 appearances across all competitions. A beloved figure at the club, he put together a run of eight consecutive seasons in which he hit double digits in Premier League goals, including in 2021-22 when he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Son was named captain by former manager Ange Postecoglou in 2023. His crowning achievement with Spurs came when he helped the club end its 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in May.

His final match for Tottenham could come Sunday in front of adoring fans and compatriots, as Spurs will meet Newcastle United in a preseason friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in his home country.

"It's very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain," Frank said during Friday's press conference. "If it is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending."