Heung-min Son has informed Tottenham of his wish to play for South Korea at the Olympics – which would mean missing the start of the English season.
Son is likely to be named as three “over-age” players in the squad, which will predominantly contain players under 23, for the Games football tournament in Brazil in August.
The opening game of the tournament, which lasts from August 4-20, takes place nine days before the 2016-17 Premier League campaign begins. Spurs have the right to deny Son permission to travel to Brazil but the 23-year-old hopes they will rule in his favour.
“I already told my club that I want to go the Olympics, and they seemed to be examining my request with a positive attitude,” said Son, who will be 24 when the Games start.
Son has recently been linked with a move away from Tottenham, just a year after he moved to White Hart Lane from Bayer Leverkusen for £22million.
His performance during the 5-1 defeat at Newcastle on the final day of the Premier League campaign is thought to have angered boss Mauricio Pochettino and some team-mates. Son was taken off at half-time.
Tottenham 2015/16 season Player Ratings
Missing the start of next season would hardly help Son’s cause but the forward added: “My first season in the Premier League didn't meet my expectations, but I had a good experience. For my first season, I played with the thought that I should learn many things here.”
