Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been airing some concerns over the supposed Everton transfer target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
During an interview with BBC Radio Solent, the Austrian manager aired that he did not think that “the situation would be good for him [Hojbjerg]”.
That situation being the fact that the Danish player only has a season remaining on his contract following the conclusion of this term (per Transfermarkt).
Due to the 24-year-old being the Saints’ captain, the Premier League manager stated that “you cannot lead a team without extending your contract” as it is “always difficult”.
Here’s what he had to say in full:
“It’s not good for him and I don’t think the situation would be good for him,” the former RB Leipzig coach tells BBC Radio Solent. “As a captain, you cannot lead a team without extending your contract. This is always difficult.
“I think we should avoid letting players go without a transfer fee. 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.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit was linked with the midfielder back in early May by The Telegraph, with Tottenham Hotspur also registering interest.
TIF Thoughts…
While Southampton’s manager did state in the interview that there would be “opportunities” to handle the contract situation, there is a chance it may work in the Toffees’ favour if not resolved.
In the Premier League this season, the Dane has been in relatively solid form as he has been the Saints’ third-best performer in the league with a 6.82/10 average rating (per WhoScored).
Would you be pleased if the Toffees signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton?Yes, would be a good move
No, he's not good enough
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The player has been particularly impressive in the defensive department, having made the fourth-most tackles (2.4) and the second-most interceptions (1.5) in Southampton’s squad per league game on average.
Hojbjerg has also made the most passes per league game on average for the Saints with 56 per outing.
So, should the Toffees be able to secure the services of the midfielder following Hasenhuttl’s worries over the player, it may be a shrewd move.