'One of our own' - fans on Son exitpublished at 17:01 2 August
17:01 2 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked how you were feeling about the departure of Son Heung-min.
You told us:
Diana: A True Spurs legend. I am so sad he is leaving hopefully he can come back and get a great send off. Hope he does well in the MLS but wish he wasn't going.
Christopher: To me, Son Heung-min is, and always will be, 'one of our own' because he represents everything that is good about Tottenham Hotspur, everything the club traditionally stands for especially, in this sometimes strange age. Perhaps his loyalty, outward love of the club and continuous endeavour should be noted above all else - a rarity in the modern era - or his abundance of skill. But it is his demeanour both on and off the pitch that will see him celebrated forevermore not only by supporters of Spurs but, I should think, by fans of all other clubs across Great Britain and the world.
A lovely chap, whose smile and distinctive laughter alone would, more than likely, unite a room full of strangers. He not only had time to give to absolutely anyone but a genuine desire to do so. Very few people have believed in Tottenham Hotspur and the community quite like he has and his absence from N17 will be widely felt for some time. There can be no doubt whatsoever that he is a 'legend' and I will miss him dearly.
Jonathan: Sonny has been immense for Spurs and I'm so happy he capped it with the trophy. It's probably the right time to go leaving with his legacy and our gratitude. Will always be remembered as a legend!
Thom: Many players score and make great goals but very few are distinguished by the ability to express joy in playing the game and to inspire joy in fellow players and fans. Sonny did just that and his legacy will endure.
Dan: I admit I'm quite sad at the news. Son has been more than a great player for us. He's been a great Captain and ambassador. But at least he's going on his terms. That's the very least he deserves and Spurs fans should be grateful to have watched him at his prime. Seeing him lift the Europa League trophy, that amazing goal against Burnley, his partnership with Kane. Thank you for the great memories Sonny!! You'll be dearly missed!
Story of Son Heung-Min: From South Korea to the Premier League
After 454 appearances and 173 goals, Son Heung-min is moving to pastures new a decade after Mauricio Pochettino brought him to north London from Bayer Leverkusen.
The South Korea forward was the most expensive Asian signing in the Premier League when the then 23-year-old arrived in 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £22.5m.
"We love players who give so much to this club," Micky Hazard, an FA Cup (1982) and Uefa Cup (1984) winner with Spurs, says.
"Sonny will always be worshipped in these parts. When he first arrived, I didn't know much about him. Ten years on, he's leaving a Spurs legend."
Four days after beating Manchester United in a European final, great names from Tottenham's past formed a guard of honour for soon-to-depart manager Ange Postecoglou's side before the home game with Brighton on the final day of the season.
Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings, Keith Burkinshaw and Martin Chivers were among those who lined up on the pitch - along with Hazard.
"Sonny came up to each and every one of us, shook our hands, and said: 'Now I'm a legend'," adds former Spurs midfielder Hazard.
"Despite everything he achieved in 10 years at Spurs, he still didn't believe he was a legend until he won a trophy. I think there is something special about that, something beautiful. It says so much about his character."
Son to depart - how are you feeling?published at 14:43 2 August
14:43 2 August
Media caption,
It is the end of an era as Tottenham captain Son Heung-min says he will leave the club this summer after 10 years.
The 33-year-old's final game will be a friendly against Newcastle in his homeland of South Korea on Sunday.
He stands on 173 goals in 454 appearances and says leaving was "the most difficult one I have made in my career".
"I came to north London as a kid - a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn't speak English," said Son, who is in negotiations with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC.
"Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.
"I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change - 10 years is a long time.
"I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again."
What Palhinha would offer Tottenhampublished at 11:36 1 August
11:36 1 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham are closing in on the loan signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha. The destructive number six joined the German giants in a £42.3m deal last summer and called it "the happiest day of my life" – although the move has since soured due to injury and a lack of playing time.
Palhinha has started just 10 games in all competitions for Bayern in the last year, prompting a potential move back to the Premier League where he excelled during his two seasons with Fulham between 2022 and 2024.
The 34-cap Portugal international proved to be a real bargain after swapping Sporting Lisbon for Craven Cottage for around £17m, comfortably topping the Premier League rankings for tackles with a total of 300 during his initial two-season stint – 109 more than any other player. He also ranked sixth for interceptions (92).
His combative style of play, however, does carry risks. The 30-year-old received 27 yellow cards across 2022-23 and 2023-24 – at least five more than anyone else.
Always room for player banter...published at 18:01 31 July
18:01 31 July
Image source, Richarlison Instagram
It may only have been a friendly - won 1-0 by Tottenham - but it seems there's always room for a little banter between players.
Spurs striker Richarlison has tagged Arsenal defender Gabriel in a photo with his trophy for winning man of the match. Gabriel responded with an image of three player of the match trophies, all earned against Tottenham. He duly tagged the striker in the post.
'I know I need to make a decision' - Frank on captaincy published at 17:28 31 July
17:28 31 July
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank spoke to the media in Hong Kong on Thursday, after his side's 1-0 victory against Arsenal.
On reaping the rewards of intense training, he said: "It feels very pleasing of course. It's clear that this was not a friendly, it felt like a competitive match. If you saw it, it was competitive and if you played in it, it was very competitive. But some of the bits we've been working hard on is the combination of the defensive organisation - so high pressure, middle and low - so there's clear principles.
"As well as the desire to keep a clean sheet because that gives you a big opportunity to win football matches."
On acclimatising to the role as head coach during pre-season, he said: "You think you have a good idea [about working for Spurs] but you don't really know. You come here and see how important it is to the fans and you understand more and more how big of a club Tottenham is and also the importance of the club."
On deciding the captaincy, he said: "That is to be confirmed. I haven't taken a decision yet, I'd like to understand the group and the players a little bit more. I know I need to make a decision before the first official game against PSG in the Super Cup and I will do that.
"It was natural for [Cristian] Romero and Son [Heung-min] to be captains so I kept it how it was."
Send your pictures and stories of why you love Spurspublished at 17:04 31 July
17:04 31 July
Image source, Andy
On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Spurs and some of your favourite moments supporting them.
You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Andy:
"It was the end of the 1960s; I was eight years old and it was Jimmy Greaves and that sherbet-white top, the emblem on it and the name 'Hotspurs' that did it for me. All the other teams were just City, United or Town.
"Then Martin Peters came in (for Greaves) and there was Chivers and Mullery and Gilzean. I soon got to realise that Spurs were a bit special - a team that put style and panache above the need to win trophies... and that was embodied more than ever during the 1980s with Hoddle, Waddle, Ardiles and a bit later Gazza.
"Then came Ginola, Berbatov, Modric, Bale, Dembele, Dele Alli, Kane - all ballers but always underachieving. But give me good, creative football played by stylish players over anything else.
"That's me in a now faded photo, aged eight in my Spurs kit I got for Christmas, playing in the snow in January 1969."
So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love Spurs.
Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?
Wissa still in exile with Brentford back in Londonpublished at 15:26 31 July
15:26 31 July
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa continues to train away from the first team amid uncertainty over his future and interest from multiple rival clubs.
The 28-year-old arrived at training on time before meeting manager Keith Andrews and sporting director Phil Giles to indicate his preference to continue training alone.
Wissa has previously threatened he will never play for Brentford again in past talks with Giles amid reports a £25m bid from Newcastle was rejected last week.
Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be interested in the Congo international.
Andrews is preparing his team to face QPR on Saturday which will also be the first time he speaks about the situation publicly.
Sarr scores winner in first overseas north London derbypublished at 14:50 31 July
14:50 31 July
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham claimed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first north London derby outside of the United Kingdom.
Thomas Frank's side hit the woodwork three times in the first half at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, before midfielder Pape Matar Sarr's stunning 45th-minute winner from the halfway line.
New Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres did make his first appearance, coming off the bench in the second half, but was unable to prevent Spurs ending Mikel Arteta's side's perfect pre-season record.
Will Spence earn contract reward?published at 18:19 30 July
18:19 30 July
Jordan Butler BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
Last summer Djed Spence returned to Hotspur Way with his future undecided.
He had just completed a six-month spell with Italian side Genoa – his third loan in two seasons – and appeared surplus to requirements when omitted from the Europa League squad in August.
But he stayed in north London and was rewarded with a first Premier League start in December. His form and Tottenham's injury crisis led to him becoming a near ever-present in the six months that followed and he showcased all of his technical talent in that time.
No other Premier League defender attempted or completed more dribbles last season per 90 minutes, with Spence above the likes of Manchester City summer signing Rayan Ait Nouri and Brentford's Michael Kayode.
Thomas Frank will be aware of this statistic and the Dane encourages his full-backs to carry an attacking threat – think Kayode or Keane Lewis-Potter last term - or Rico Henry prior to his lengthy injury layoff.
Spence also excels in one-on-one situations and only a handful of defenders won more duels per 90 minutes than his 6.5 last season. His versatility is another strength and the 24-year-old can slot in at full-back or wing-back on either flank.
For these reasons a new and improved contract makes sense for both parties and Spence could have an important role to play at Spurs during this coming campaign.
Spurs start contract talks with Spencepublished at 11:52 30 July
11:52 30 July
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham have opened talks with Djed Spence over a new contract.
The defender's current deal does not expire until 2028, but BBC Sport understands Spurs have entered into discussions with Spence's representatives over a new deal.
After arriving from Middlesbrough in 2022, Spence endured a difficult start to his Tottenham career, spending loan spells at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa.
Yet last season, he emerged as an important player for Ange Postecoglou and these developments over a possible contract extension indicates he has a role to play under new manager Thomas Frank.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are in advanced talks over allowing young forward Mikey Moore joining Rangers on loan while Spurs have an interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The real fumble Spurs made over Gibbs-Whitepublished at 09:04 30 July
09:04 30 July
Ali Speechly Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
So, in true snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory Spurs style, Morgan Gibbs-White is staying at Nottingham Forest.
However, perhaps the real fumble was not the Forest player, but the weeks we lost in the wider transfer market.
With Xavi Simons seemingly on his way to Chelsea, Spurs could have missed out on other key targets – including better players than Gibbs-White.
Thomas Frank is playing his cards close to his chest regarding transfer interests, but with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out with injuries, our new manager will be keen to sign another number 10.
One player I am still interested in – and, to be honest, more excited about than Gibbs-White – is Eberechi Eze. With a similar price tag to the Forest midfielder, Eze offers more versatility with his ability to play across the frontline as well as in midfield.
Similarly, Morgan Rogers would be a great option – but it looks as though Aston Villa have taken notes from Nottingham Forest and offered a lucrative new contract to keep their star man.
Another, potentially more viable option, is Harvey Elliott. Apparently keen to leave Liverpool in search of more minutes on the pitch, Elliott's dribbling ability in particular could make him a fan-favourite at Spurs.
Is this focus on a number 10 correct, or could missing out on Gibbs-White be a blessing in disguise? Do Spurs actually need a number six more urgently?
A good compromise could be Adam Wharton. While the Crystal Palace player clearly has attacking capabilities, his key strengths are winning the ball and initiating attacks from deeper positions. However, Daniel Levy will probably need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of money to secure Wharton.
Whichever players we decide to pursue, I will do my best not to get too excited about anyone until they are definitely ours.
Image source, Getty Images
