Ralph Hasenhuttl suggests reported Tottenham and Everton target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be sold

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Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted the Premier League side do not want to let Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg enter the final year of his contract, amid reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. 

The Austrian was speaking to BBC Radio Solent, as relayed by the Daily Echo,  about the Danish international’s future when he hinted a sale would be inevitable this summer should Hojbjerg not extend his current St Mary’s deal, which expires in 12 months time. 

He also hinted that any refusal to sign a new deal could impact Hojbjerg’s standing as captain on the south-coast. 

“It’s not good for him and I don’t think the situation would be good for him.

“As a captain, you cannot lead a team without extending your contract. This is always difficult.

“We must look at what we have. I think we should avoid letting players go without a transfer fee. This is what we should avoid.

“It’s not good to go into the last year of your contract – especially as a young player with a big future.

“This is not the ideal situation, but we have opportunities to handle it and we will have talks with other players and find a decision.”

Of course, this will be music to the ears of both Tottenham and Everton. 

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

The Evening Standard later suggested there remains ‘tentative’ interest in the player from Spurs. 

The Telegraph also suggested that Everton are keen on a deal for the player this summer. Whilst Hojbjerg suggested to Sport1 (as relayed by the Daily Echo) that he was ‘hungry to get to the next level’, opening the door to a Southampton exit.  

Whether Tottenham or Everton would be willing to spend £35 million on Hojbjerg considering his contract status and the current global health crisis is up for debate. 

But at a lower price, with Southampton clearly open for talks, it would appear that both clubs could be onto a transfer winner.