Their new Son: £80m + “generational talent” is a transfer target for Spurs
There are very few players who spend over a decade at one club in the modern game, but that’s exactly what Heung-min Son managed during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
The South Korean international joined the Lilywhites from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 as an unknown quantity to many, but it’s safe to say he rapidly made himself a fan favourite.
He ended up making over 450 appearances in North London between 2015 and 2025, scoring 173 times, which ranks him fourth in the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.
Son also registered a staggering 101 assists for his teammates, with such numbers undoubtedly making him one of the best ever to represent the club in the Premier League.
However, current boss Thomas Frank has been unable to call upon him after his departure this summer, resulting in the Dane delving into the transfer market to land his own version of the attacker.
Spurs hunting deal for top-level European forward
Over the last couple of weeks, Frank has sanctioned the departure of winger Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace – with his £35m fee opening the door to added investment in the final third.
As a result, Brazilian winger Savinho has once again emerged on their radar, after previously hunting for the Manchester City star during the summer transfer window.
It’s unclear if the 21-year-old would be allowed to depart the Etihad this winter, but the pending move for Antoine Semenyo could open the door to a potential move away from Manchester.
However, he’s not the only winger currently in the hierarchy’s sights at present, with RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande another option being considered by the board.
According to Sky Sports, Spurs are one of a number of sides currently tracking the Ivorian star, who has scored six goals in 14 appearances to date this season.
The report also states that Bayern Munich are one of the other clubs in the running for his signature. Previous reports have suggested he could cost around £87m.
Why Diomande would be Frank’s own Son at Spurs
The left-wing position at Spurs has been an issue over the last couple of months for Frank, with various players having to feature out of position to fill the void.
Randal Kolo Muani has been just one of the players to operate in such a position of late, which has no doubt restricted his ability to impress after his loan move to North London.
The Frenchman has failed to score in any of his 13 Premier League appearances to date, highlighting his struggles in having to feature in a somewhat unnatural position.
Other first-team members, such as Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons have both also had to share the responsibility, which like Kolo Muani, has restricted their numbers in attacking areas.
However, a move for Diomande this winter would certainly solve all of the issues that currently lie in front of Frank, with the 19-year-old having all the tools to emulate Son’s success.
He would replicate the South Korean in moving to join the Lilywhites from Germany’s top-flight, subsequently doing so whilst being unknown to many supporters.
The Ivorian also possesses a similar skillset of being able to cut inside onto his stronger right foot off the left-hand side, something which made Son a fan-favourite in the capital.
However, Diomande’s underlying stats further highlight the incredible talent he possesses, with the youngster potentially being an excellent pickup this January.
The teenager, who’s been described as a “generational talent” by journalist Bence Bocsák, has completed 6.3 progressive carries and 4.3 successful take-ons in the Bundesliga this season.
Yan Diomande – Bundesliga stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
14
Goals & assists
8
Pass accuracy
82%
Progressive carries
6.3
Successful take-ons
4.3
Key passes
1.4
Passes into 18-yard box
1.4
Carries into final third
3.9
Carries into the 18-yard box
3.4
Stats via FBref
Such numbers highlight his phenomenal ability in getting the ball into dangerous, something which is desperately needed off the left-hand side of the Lilywhites’ attack.
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Having the ability to glide past opponents is one thing, but the end product is just as important, with Diomande showcasing such a talent with his goalscoring tally this campaign.
However, he’s also been able to pick out a teammate in Leipzig this season, as seen by his superb tally of 1.4 key passes and 1.4 passes into the opposition box per 90.
His quality in possession is further demonstrated with his tally of 3.4 carries into the final third per 90, with such an average currently the highest of any player in the Bundesliga during 2025/26.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal could cost Frank’s men this campaign, his talent is there for all to see, but they will need to act quickly given the interest from elsewhere.
If he does move to North London and emulate the levels produced by Son, such a deal will go down as one of the best in recent times, and potentially allow the Dane to create new history in the role.
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