Son Heung-min’s Premier League career may not be over just yet due to a reported clause in his contract with MLS side Los Angeles FC, which could see him follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Thierry Henry. The South Korean made the move to the United States in the summer after leaving Tottenham Hotspur as a Europa League winner.
The 33-year-old has made an excellent start to life at BMO Stadium and already has eight goals and three assists in nine MLS outings. He reunited with his former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris, whom he purportedly earns over $200,000 more than in California.
Son is the latest high-profile European footballer to move to the USA, following Lionel Messi’s arrival at Beckham’s co-owned Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. But he could make a brief return to Europe, where he became one of the most highly-admired Asian talents the game has ever seen.
‘Beckham Clause’ Could See Son Return To Europe
Spurs and Son decided it was time to part ways in the summer after a decade which saw the Lilywhites’ faithful fall in love with the South Korea captain. He formed one of the most formidable when he starred up front with Harry Kane.
While he remained in North London for the Europa League triumph last season, Kane exited and headed to Bayern Munich to end his wait for a trophy. The 31-year-old English striker isn’t leaving Europe anytime soon, but his former teammate may still have unfinished business.
SunSport reports that there is a clause in Son’s contract with LAFC which allows him to make a loan switch during the MLS’ off-season. This arrangement led to Beckham joining AC Milan from LA Galaxy during the latter stages of his playing career.
Henry, too, took the opportunity to keep playing during the off-season by making an emotional return to Arsenal. It’s highly unlikely but Son could even swiftly but temporarily reunite with Spurs if Thomas Frank felt he could use his experience.
It’s thought that the former Bayer Leverkusen man will plan his off-season with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in mind. This could see him rest in preparation for South Korea’s participation in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Son turned down potential moves to European clubs and snubbed interest from Saudi Arabia to head to the MLS. He has become the league’s highest-paid player, taking home $250,000 per week, putting him ahead of Messi, who is on $230,760 per week (via Capology).
If the Spurs hero’s clause were to be triggered, he’d be able to play European football for around three or four months. His proven knack of finding the back of the net could come in handy for any side looking for an emergency attacking signing.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.
Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.
How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott
Alex Scott
The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.
Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”
Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.
Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
It’s widely understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a contract with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager. Once this news is officially confirmed, it won’t take long before the Portuguese coach starts pushing for some key transfers.
He is set to return to the Spanish capital for the second time in his career, having left way back in 2013, after three seasons in which he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Mourinho spent last season at Benfica, where he went unbeaten in the league, but only finished third.
With Madrid, the 63-year-old arrives at a club in chaos after a trophyless season saw Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggle to deal with the big superstars in the dressing room. Mourinho is unlikely to be concerned by the big egos in the squad. However, one of his first key transfer targets isn’t quite the usual Galactico fans might expect.
Mourinho Wants Relegated Premier League Star
One of the defining dramas of the season for Madrid last season was Aurelien Tchouameni’s dramatic clash with Fede Valverde, which saw the Uruguayan hospitalised and both men fined for their antics. If Mourinho wants to calm the dressing room, he could look to offload one.
Indeed, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho ‘has told’ Real Madrid that he would like the club to sign West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Hammers need to sell their most valuable assets this summer after being relegated, and the midfielder is of interest to a number of clubs.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the former Southampton star in the past few weeks, amid talk that any transfer could cost as much as £80m. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Fernandes.
Rodri Also Linked With Madrid Interest
It’s worth noting that even if Tchouameni stays, Dani Ceballos wants to leave and Madrid are willing to let him go. His contract expires in 2027, so an exit this summer makes sense as they could still bring in a fee for the 29-year-old.
As such, Mourinho will likely want a midfield reinforcement regardless. One other name to be linked, beyond Fernandes, is Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain international, 29, is heading into the final year of his Man City contract, and it remains to be seen if he will hang around or follow Pep Guardiola out of the exit door.
Reports claim that Mourinho is ‘very keen’ on bringing Rodri to Madrid. That said, having seen their manager depart, the Premier League club will be reluctant to lose another experienced head on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also confirming their exits this summer.
