Double annual salary + Champions League + first championship hope! Mourinho s 12 million euro gamble, Son Heung-min s last dance?

32-year-old Asian king stood at the intersection of his career, and a familiar man paved the carpet to glory for him. "Please solve the transfer problem with Tottenham first. We are willing to meet the needs with twice his current salary!" Fenerbahce Chairman Ali Kochi made this firm promise in the face of Son Heung-min's agent team. Just a few days ago, the new coach Mourinho personally slapped a list of signings on his desk, and the first target was listed: Son Heung-min.

01 The master and apprentice have renewed their relationship, and Mourinho's "Ronaldo" complex

Mourinho and Son Heung-min began in North London in 2019. Mourinho, who had just taken charge of Tottenham's coach at that time, faced the media without any concealing his respect for the Korean shooter: "He has all the abilities I want."

This master-apprentice friendship collided with dazzling sparks at the tactical level. Mourinho's iconic defensive counterattack system provides a perfect stage for Son Heung-min's speed and technology.

In the 2020 Europa League qualifiers, Son Heung-min scored 7 goals in two games (5 goals and 2 assists), and the British media exclaimed: "Murinho has used him as Ronaldo!"

What is even more touching is the friendship bond between the two that transcends tactics. In February 2020, when Son Heung-min was reimbursed for a seasonal reimbursement, Mourinho's metaphor at the press conference shocked the audience: "Losing Son Heung-min is like Barcelona losing Messi."

He never stings with praise, publicly calling Son Heung-min "my Ronaldo" - this is the highest recognition for this coach who is known for his strictness.

02 Fenerbahce's ambitions, it is no accident that Mourinho took over Fenerbahce. This Turkish Super League giant invited the "madman" with an annual salary of 12 million euros (the same salary as the offer to Son Heung-min this time), showing the ambition to reach the top of Europe.

The club's senior management gave Mourinho great transfer decision-making power, causing continuous waves in the transfer market. Locking in Son Heung-min is a key step for Mourinho to build competitiveness in the European war.

32-year-old Son Heung-min is still at his peak in his competitive state. The "double-double" data of 17 goals and 10 assists this season proves that he is still a world-class attacker.

What attracts Fenerbahce more is the commercial value behind him: As the number one superstar in Asian football, Son Heung-min's joining will instantly open up the East Asian market, and the club's brand influence and commercial revenue are expected to make a qualitative leap.

03 Son Heung-min's choice, the last goal in his career

For Son Heung-min, this transfer contains deeper meaning. Despite growing up as a world-class striker at Tottenham, he still has no important championships in his career.

Staying in Tottenham means continuing to miss the Premier League championship - under the attack of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, Tottenham's hopes for the championship are slim.

Fenerbahce is different: the Domestic Super League has a stable position, and the qualifying for the Champions League next season is also supported by Mourinho's championship genes. This may become an excellent stage for Son Heung-min to realize his dream.

Economic level, the annual salary of 12 million euros is not only twice his current income, but will also make him among the top salary of the Turkish Super League. As for Tottenham, since Son Heung-min's contract is only one year left (the contract was renewed in January this year), in order to avoid the mistake of leaving the team with free Kane, the club is open to the offer of about 50 million euros.

04 Undercurrent transfer chess game

There is also a subtle network of people hidden behind this transfer. Son Heung-min's agency CAA Base has long had a relationship with Mourinho - Son Heung-min's joining CAA Base in 2021 was promoted by Mourinho during his coaching period in Tottenham.

Although Mourinho's exclusive agent is Mendes, he has maintained close cooperation with CAA Base in the field of commercial development. This relationship paves the way for transfer negotiations.

Another key factor is the change in Tottenham's coach position. After Postkoglu was dismissed, the team entered a reconstruction period, which prompted the captain who had been playing for many years to start thinking about new challenges. When Mourinho's phone rang, it brought not only a generous contract, but also a promise of reunion of master and apprenticeship and tickets to the Champions League.

The football world has never been waiting warmly. When Levi's cold-blooded selling of Kane has not yet faded from memory, Tottenham's management once again faces a choice: Is it the last try to fulfill the meritorious captain, or to force the flag to stay as it is to stay?

And in Istanbul, Mourinho has spread the tactical board and circled a front line with a red pen - it once belonged to Drogba, Milito, and Ronaldo. Now, an Asian name is waiting to write a new legend.