Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident of acquiring Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton this summer. Matt Law of The Telegraph reports Spurs remain the Dane’s club of choice and is top of Jose Mourinho’s shopping list if the club can afford him. The Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser reports that while the Saints are willing to sell, they are unlikely to accept under £35 million.
Tottenham Hotspur ‘Confident’ of Acquiring Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg From Southampton
Confident of Striking a Deal
As the unrest over Tanguy Ndombele’s future continues to remain in question, Spurs will be looking for reinforcements. Law claims that Hojbjerg is a high priority signing for Jose Mourinho. With one year remaining on his current contract, the club are confident of securing the Southampton man in the summer.
Hojbjerg’s future on the south coast has already been plunged into doubt this season. The 24-year-old recently expressed his desire to play in the Champions League and was subsequently stripped of the Southampton captaincy by manager Ralph Hassenhuttl. While Spurs have found themselves chasing a top-four place this season, the move is still appealing for Hojbjerg.
A combative player who doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work, Hojbjerg could add a different element to the Spurs midfield. Since the departure of iconic duo Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama, Spurs have lacked the personnel to break up battles in the middle. Eric Dier’s move back into central defence has also brought a recent upturn in form, freeing up another midfield space. Hojbjerg can slot in, having the ability to sit in front of the backline, while freeing up space for others around him.
Potential Stumbling Block
While Hojbjerg may jump at the chance at joining Spurs, getting a deal over the line may be a slight issue for Mourinho. Southampton value Hojbjerg at £35 million and Spurs may need to sell to draw up funds.
They may look towards on-loan defender Kyle Walker-Peters as leverage for negotiating a deal with the Saints. The 23-year-old has begun to see improvements in his recent performances, much to the liking of his manager. Should Southampton want to make the deal permanent, Spurs may have the upper-hand when it comes to bringing Hojbjerg’s price down.
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