Tottenham Hotspur defying the odds to ultimately secure for themselves a Premier League top-4 berth looks set to prove important in far more than simply guiding the club back into the group stages of the Champions League.
This comes amid reports that, had the Lilywhites fallen short of north London rivals Arsenal, then they could have been forced to face up to the departure of a key member of Antonio Conte’s frontline.
As per a report from the reliable Alasdair Gold, as the campaign’s conclusion approached, Heung-min Son was identified as a summer target by none other than Liverpool.
Amid mounting speculation surrounding the future of Sadio Mane, the board at Anfield were understood to have set their sights on Son as a potential replacement.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Sadio Mané and Raúl Albiol battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg One match between Liverpool and Villarreal at Anfield. (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
This of course comes with the South Korean fresh off the back of a scintillating campaign which culminated in him sharing Premier League Golden Boot honours with Mohamed Salah.
A big-money proposal, in turn, was being readied by the transfer team at Anfield.
Spurs sealing a place back in the Champions League, however, brought a definitive end to any such hopes on Liverpool’s part of landing Son, it is understood.
🚨 NEW: Liverpool were considering a big bid for Son Heung-min this summer if Tottenham had not finished in the top four. #awlive [@AlasdairGold] pic.twitter.com/Zsnw79M8h1
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) May 29, 2022
Mane on the move
Though they ultimately look primed to miss out on Son, Jurgen Klopp are nevertheless expected to scour the summer market for additions to the club’s frontline ahead of next season.
This comes with Sadio Mane, as outlined above, understood to be inching towards an Anfield exit.
Amid widespread reports that the explosive wide-man informed those in a position of power on the red half of Merseyside of his intention to move on after suffering Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid on Saturday, German heavyweights Bayern Munich have positioned themselves at the front of the queue to clinch Mane’s signature over the coming weeks.
Sadio #Mané is very close to joining Bayern Munich. He has decided to leave Liverpool, Klopp and his teammates are informed.
PSG is not completely out of the race yet, but he prefers Bayern – as he can be the big star there.
— Kerry Hau (@kerry_hau) May 29, 2022
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