‘Time to sell up’, ‘cash in’: Some fans react to major update on reported £35m Spurs target

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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”.

Bleacher Report claimed earlier this month that, although Spurs are having a rethink over their summer transfer plans in wake of current events, the Saints man – who was linked with the North Londoners back in January – remains a key target.

Hojbjerg 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).

The 24-year-old 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 reported £35million-rated 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.”

Here is what some Southampton fans said on social media after Hojbjerg’s armband was given to James Ward-Prowse: