Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looks to be a top target for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The Dane, 24, has been a solid performer for the Saints, and has been club captain throughout Ralph Hasenhuttl’s time at the club.
Hojbjerg has been a gritty, hard-working midfielder in the Southampton engine room. He may not be flashy, but he has been reliable.
It now seems that he has attracted major interest. The Telegraph note that Tottenham want him, as they did in January, but it depends on their budget.
Everton are also keen, and Southampton could be under pressure to sell. Hojbjerg has just a year left on his contract and seemingly doesn’t want to stay.
The global pandemic means clubs may not be able to throw money at Southampton, making Hojbjerg’s situation particularly interesting.
The Daily Echo today carry quotes from chief executive Martin Semmens, in which he told BBC Solent that Hojbjerg has been up front about his desire to play at a higher level.
Southampton seemingly won’t stand in his way, but only as long as a club come up with the money to sign him – and it’s unclear whether Tottenham will be able to be that club.
“He is that kind of character that under any circumstance he’ll give 100 per cent on the pitch,” sai Semmens. “He’s fully committed to getting through this season and winning those nine games. When it comes to the transfer window, it’s a strange time. Let’s be clear about Pierre, he’s been absolutely upfront with us and everybody publicly that he sees himself at the very highest level of football.”
“He wants to win the league, he wants to win the Champions League either with us or somebody else and at some point he’s going to either have to drive us to that level or move somewhere else to do it. If there’s a club out there that can win the Champions League and they think Pierre can improve their team, if they can pay for him then, in the end, we have to let him go,” he added.
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