Liverpool were considering a big bid for Son Heung-min this summer if Tottenham had not finished in the top four, football.london understands.
Jurgen Klopp has long been an admirer of Spurs' South Korean star and football.london understands that with Liverpool having been planning for the prospect of losing either Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah this summer as their contracts reach their final year there had been discussions about testing Tottenham's financial resolve with a big money move for the 29-year-old attacker if the north London club had failed to qualify for the Champions League next season.
That is not to say that Tottenham would have even entertained talks let alone a bid for a hugely popular player they see as vital to Antonio Conte's plans and one they handed a big new four-year contract to last summer, or that Son would have agreed to the move, but the Reds have long kept an eye on a Premier League star who has scored three goals in his past four appearances against them.
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Reports emerged on Sunday that Mane has decided to leave Liverpool this summer following Saturday's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. However, Liverpool are not expected to take their Son interest any further with the player having played a key role in helping Conte lead Spurs into fourth place in the Premier League.
Son shared the Golden Boot with Salah after netting 23 Premier League goals, without a single penalty among them, as well as laying on nine assists and setting new records for his partnership with Harry Kane. Son swept up the Tottenham fans' Player of the Year awards and has spoken about his excitement at playing Champions League football with Spurs once again. He has also been further buoyed by the news that Conte is set to remain in charge of the club next season.
Conte has quickly developed a bond with Son and the pair could be seen after Spurs' final home match watching a highlights compilation on the big screen with their arms around each other's shoulders. The Italian has consistently hailed the South Korean as world class and warned in the season's final months that he believes the Golden Boot winner can still get even better.
Tottenham are set to travel to Son's homeland this summer on a money-spinning pre-season tour in July, with matches against Team K League – a selection of the best players from Korea’s professional league – and Spanish side Sevilla.
