Report names Tottenham Hotspur key target amid potential major summer plan rethink

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly still viewing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as a key transfer target despite Spurs having a major rethink over their summer plans, according to Bleacher Report.

The Southampton captain 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 Southampton, 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.

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 given Hojbjerg’s contract length, Southampton’s hand isn’t going to be particularly strong in negotiations.

Bleacher Report claims that, although Spurs are having a major rethink over their summer plans, and will mainly be recruiting free agents and loan players, Hojbjerg remains a key target.

The report adds that the Dane should fit in with Tottenham’s financing for this summer and may turn out to be the only player they pay money for, with his expertise in the centre of the park having convinced recruitment staff he is worth pursuing.

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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 Jose Mourinho’s side, and given his contract at Southampton runs out next summer, he shouldn’t be overly expensive either.