Could it be that the replacement for Son Heung-min (33) at Tottenham Hotspur is, of all people, the son of that individual? Some local media in Tottenham have suggested that the team should recruit Patrick Kluivert's son, who has a karmic connection with manager Shin Tae-yong.

'Tottenham News', which covers Tottenham developments, reported on the 26th (Korean time) that 'Tottenham could sign an exit for Son Heung-min after acquiring a £45 million (approximately 85.1 billion won) striker. If they can find a suitable replacement, Son Heung-min might be able to prepare for a transfer this summer.'

Son Heung-min's contract has been extended until the summer of 2026. This was a one-year extension option exercised instead of a re-signing proposal by Tottenham last January. Consequently, the possibility of Son Heung-min leaving the team as a free agent (FA) at the end of this season has been eliminated. Nevertheless, rumors of Son Heung-min's transfer continue to swirl.

'Tottenham News' claimed, 'It has been a bleak season for Tottenham. The same can be said for Son Heung-min. He once gained a reputation as one of the top-level strikers in the Premier League. However, Son Heung-min's decline is truly unfortunate, and it seems only a matter of time before his Tottenham career comes to an end.'

Son Heung-min is a legend at Tottenham. Since leaving Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, apart from his debut season, he has scored double-digit league goals for eight consecutive seasons. His total stats for Tottenham show an impressive 173 goals and 95 assists in 448 matches. However, time may also be running out for Son Heung-min at Tottenham, as he has been struggling this season with a hamstring injury and overwork.

As the team itself has plunged into severe decline, Son Heung-min's scoring ability has also diminished. In the 2024-2025 season, he has recorded 7 goals and 9 assists in 26 league matches. While he has been providing plenty of opportunities for his teammates through creative passes, he has struggled to finish plays himself.

Above all, Tottenham is showing its worst performance under manager Ange Postecoglou. Currently, Tottenham sits only in 14th place in the league, having recorded a staggering 15 losses in 29 matches and accumulating just 34 points. This has led to criticism directed at Son Heung-min.

Doubts about Son Heung-min's leadership continue to circulate, with calls for him to step down from the captaincy. Even senior players at Tottenham have joined the ranks of critics, and the backlash against Son Heung-min has been ongoing. During this time, Justin Kluivert has been mentioned as a suitable replacement for Son Heung-min.

The issue lies in the fact that Justin is the son of Patrick Kluivert, a world-class striker during his playing days, who is currently managing the Indonesia national team. Patrick was a striker who played for Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Newcastle, leveraging his height of 188 cm. He now manages the Indonesia national team, having suddenly sacked Shin Tae-yong.

Public sentiment in Indonesia is not favorable. The controversy surrounding Shin Tae-yong's dismissal has been significant. He led the team to a record of 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses in the third qualifying round of Group C against Saudi Arabia, and was ranked 3rd in the group. Unlike Kluivert, he even managed to hold Australia to a 0-0 draw at home.

However, President Erik Thohir decided to appoint Kluivert as manager, hoping to attract more Dutch-born naturalized players by sacking Shin Tae-yong. This choice was made despite the lack of a proper managerial background and in the face of public opposition. Kluivert's debut match as Indonesia's head coach ended in a staggering 1-5 defeat to Australia.

However, he did manage to secure his first victory in the second game, beating Bahrain 1-0. Despite this, voices commemorating Shin Tae-yong remain strong in Indonesia. Justin, the son of Patrick, is also following in his father's footsteps as a striker. However, unlike his towering father, he is a winger at 175 cm.

Justin possesses quick feet, dribbling ability, and the capacity for excellent use of both feet. He can play centrally and on the flanks in the attacking midfield and has scoring capability, making him suitable for a second striker position. His finishing ability is also notably strong, showing many similarities to Son Heung-min.

Justin is also one of the key figures in Bournemouth's surprise this season. He has scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists in 28 Premier League matches, leading Bournemouth's attack. This marks his first time achieving double-digit goals in one of Europe's top five leagues. As a result, Bournemouth is currently challenging for European competition spots, trailing fourth-place Chelsea by 5 points.

In particular, his potential has burst forth this season. Justin has played for prestigious clubs like Ajax and AS Roma before but, unlike his father, he failed to stand out early in his career. However, since joining Bournemouth in 2023, he has shown promise with 9 goals in 36 matches and is showcasing even greater growth this season.

According to 'Cut Offside' in the UK, Tottenham plans to enter the race for Justin's acquisition. The media reported, 'Liverpool and Tottenham are among the other powerful candidates to sign Justin. Teams interested in him believe he could be a great asset. They want to acquire him after the season concludes.'

Justin's market value is reported to be around £45 million. Bournemouth, not feeling any urgency, could demand an even higher amount. Justin's contract extends until the summer of 2028. 'Tottenham News' insisted that the team must make a concerted effort to sign Justin.

The media emphasized, 'Considering Justin's ability and age, this is a very reasonable amount.' They added, 'Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham, must pursue a contract with Justin. Whatever happens, bolstering the team this summer is essential for Tottenham before the end of the season.'

If Justin joins, it will strengthen the team in the event of Son Heung-min's departure. 'Tottenham News' also reported, 'Like any transfer, Tottenham must sign a player to replace Son Heung-min. According to the latest news on Justin, it appears that the gears are starting to turn in North London.'

Ultimately, will Justin, following in the footsteps of his father who pushed out Shin Tae-yong, also displace the Korean football legend Son Heung-min? The extent of the karmic connection between the Kluivert family and Korean football remains to be seen.

[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Tottenham News, Indonesia Football Association, Justin Kluivert's social media.

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