Tottenham Hotspur have triggered the one-year option on Son Heung-min’s contract, which ends the hopes of rival clubs who were looking to land him on a free transfer in the summer.

Barcelona were among the European sides looking at the South Korean forward as a Bosman at the end of the campaign, with Son getting within six months of his terms expiring before Spurs confirmed a further year.

Son’s deal now runs until 2026, meaning he will head into a second decade at Tottenham after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22 million, proving to be one of the club’s most shrewd signings.

His latest contract extension was signed in 2021 for four years and the club had the power to extend for a further year. Spurs only needed to inform Son they have triggered their option and Telegraph Sport understands they have done so.

Ange Postecoglou appointed the 32-year-old captain after Hugo Lloris’s departure, the forward having played a huge part in Spurs emerging as Champions League regulars during his nine-and-a-half years at the club.

Son has reached double figures for goals in all but his first season at the club, with his haul of 125 in the Premier League making him the joint-third top scorer currently playing in the competition. Only Mohamed Salah (175) and Jamie Vardy (142) have scored more.

Son was asked about his contract earlier this season and insisted he was focused on ending Spurs’ trophy drought, which dates back to 2008, rather than looking at a new deal. They face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final this week.

While at the club, Son has reached the final of the Champions League and Carabao Cup but has yet to win a trophy.

“I am fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everybody at the club – the players, all around – deserves,” he said when asked earlier in the campaign about his future. “That’s what I’m working for.

“In the future you never know what will happen, but I will give everything for this club because it’s been almost 10 years and I give everything.”