Having found themselves arguably the best player in modern club history outside of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min is beloved by Spurs fans. The forward has been one of their best performers since he first signed, becoming emblematic of the modern era. His running, combinations with Kane, and dead-eye finishing have Son up there as a modern icon of the club. However, if reports are to be believed, he might be given even more reason to stick around long-term this summer.
Alongside hopeful UEFA Champions League football, Spurs will also be looking to sign a compatriot for Son. Defensive stalwart Kim Min-jae has enjoyed a wonderful term in Turkey with Fenerbahce. The Yellow Canaries, though, are keen to sell the player on to bring in funds that could be used to help them improve their team further in the years to come.
At 25, the former Beijing Guoan defender has proven himself in Asian and European football with aplomb. His excellent first season in Turkey means the club should finish second, thus putting them in contention for the UCL. Spurs have been watching the player for some time, and have been left certain that he would make a wise hire this summer.
Scouts were sent to watch Kim in the Intercontinental Derby with Galatasaray, and he played a great match. Antonio Conte has thus reportedly asked the club to push on and make sure that Kim is in North London by the end of the transfer window.
How much would Spurs pay for Kim?
The defender is believed to have a release fee in his contract of around £20m. With UCL football hopefully secured, Spurs could afford that fee. It would provide them with a new defensive option in his prime years, likely replacing the likes of Davison Sanchez. It would also offer Son a new friend to play alongside, and help to further cement his desire to stick around in North London for the foreseeable.
A top class performer with tremendous reading of the game, Kim is seen as arguably the best defensive talent in Asia. Even ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who Spurs tried to sign before he ended up going to Arsenal last year.
Seen as excellent in the reading of the game and a fine defender overall, Kim would be the ideal choice to play as part of Conte’s 3-4-3 system.
However, Spurs are not alone in seeing the quality of Kim. Both Everton and Napoli have spoken to the players representatives, and it is believed that one of the trio could make the move first. Everton are least likely as they could be relegated, whilst Napoli like Spurs need new defenders. Unlike Spurs, though, they can offer guaranteed UCL football as Napoli have already secured third spot in Serie A.
If Conte is to get what he wants, and it sounds like he is keen to land the defender, Kim could have the double value of making it easier to keep Son whilst offering an exciting and much-needed defensive reinforcement.
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