Mourinho must pounce as ruthless decision could push Spurs-linked CL winner towards exit door – TBR View

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Reported Tottenham Hotspur target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been stripped of his captaincy at Southampton after he publicly expressed his desire to play at an “even higher level”.

It was reported in January that the Saints star was on Tottenham’s radar as a potential midfield recruit in the summer, with Sky Sports suggesting that the North London club were preparing a potential £35million offer for the 24-year-old.

The football industry has changed since then and such big fees aren’t expected to be bandied about this summer, but Bleacher Report claimed earlier this month that, although Spurs are having a rethink over their summer plans transfer plans, Hojbjerg remains a key target.

The Southampton man previously played under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, winning the Champions League and four Bundesliga titles, before joining the Saints in the summer of 2016 for a reported £12.8million (BBC Sport).

Hojbjerg has made 129 appearances for the south coast side, scoring five goals and registering six assists (Transfermarkt), but with his £50,000-a-week contract expiring in 2021, interest appears to have arisen in the player.

Speaking to German media outlet SPORT1 – as per the Evening Standard – last month about his future, the Denmark international said: “I know what I want, the club knows it too. I want to play at an even higher level than I am currently.

“The relationship between me and Southampton is fantastic. The club gave me the platform to grow. I’m not saying ‘goodbye’ and I’m focused on my club, but my goal is very clear: I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”

Speaking ahead of Southampton’s Premier League meeting with Norwich, boss Ralph Hasenhuttl told Sky Sports: “No, he will not be captain. I spoke with him and we had an agreement, and made clear that if you decide not to extend your contract, you will not be captain of this team.

“I’ve spoken to him in the last few days and he knows that he is an important player for this club. I think we have found a good agreement.”

While Hasenhuttl is right to make such a ruthless decision with the team’s interests at heart, it’s likely to push Hojbjerg closer to the exit door, and given the player’s credentials, Jose Mourinho must strike while the iron’s hot and push towards making a move.

Hojbjerg is a high-calibre player with an impressive CV, a dynamic, tenacious midfielder with great passing, vision, an eye for goal and leadership skills, as proven by his captain’s armband at Premier League level.

Spurs need more steel in midfield and the Dane looks a great fit for Mourinho’s side, and given his contract at Southampton runs out next summer, he shouldn’t be overly expensive either.