Talk about putting yourself in the shop window.
With his future uncertain at club level – the Tottenham Hotspur man has made no secret of his frustration at a lack of regular starts under Ange Postecoglou – this summer’s European Championships always felt like an opportunity to catch the eye of clubs in the market for a ball-winning midfielder.
And Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has certainly done his hopes of a move away from North London no harm at all on German soil.
Starting all four of Denmark’s games at Euro 2024 until their unfortunate, VAR-assisted round-of-16 defeats to the host nation, Hojbjerg found himself in the Denmark XI almost as many times over the last few weeks as he did during the entirety of the Premier League campaign.
There have been links, in the recent past, with Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
Whether any of the trio will make their move remains to be seen. But, with even Postecoglou himself full of praise for the man who helped dominate England’s midfield during the group-stages, Hojbjerg surely won’t be forced to stay at Tottenham against his will.
His contract expires in 2025, and Spurs are unlikely to stand in his way.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg likely to leave Tottenham Hotspur
For Denmark team-mate Thomas Delaney, there is one potential destination which makes more sense than most.
Borussia Dortmund, despite reaching the Champions League final in May, are still in need of an experienced, calm-headed number six capable of snatching back possession and keeping things simple at the base of midfield.
And for Delaney, who did that job himself at BVB from 2018 to 2021, Hojbjerg and Dortmund would be a match made in footballing heaven.
“I would recommend (the move) to both parties,” Delaney, who spent last term on loan at Anderlecht from Sevilla, tells Sky Sports Germany.
“He’s a great player and I’m really happy to have him as a team-mate. In my eyes, he is a top-level central midfielder.”
It’s a point Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark’s seemingly Burnley-bound head coach, agrees with. Speaking before the Euros kicked off, Hjulmand insisted that Hojbjerg has the talent to play for most of Europe’s elite clubs.
Vincent Kompany’s potential Turf Moor successor saw his praise justified just a few days later, Hojbjerg managing a game-high six tackles and three interceptions as he ‘totally outshined’ Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold during Denmark’s 1-1 draw with England.
Outstanding during Denmark’s Euro 2024 campaign
“Great performance,” Hjulmand told DR of Hojbjerg. “He was there 100 per cent and was all over the place, so he played a blast of a game.
“When there are some performances that stand out, it is also because the team provides the opportunities for the individual to shine. He took advantage of the opportunities that the team created.”
“He brings a lot of energy,” adds full-back Joakim Maehle. “And that also gives the next player the courage to go in and win the ball. It gives a domino effect to the whole team, and this is something that Pierre leads the way with.
“He is super important to our team, there is no doubt about that. He is always on top and gives everything for his team and team-mates. He is a great footballer and a super person off the pitch who gives more than he takes.
“He is a player we can be proud to have in the Danish national team.”
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