Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a shock move for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Erik ten Hag is looking for midfield reinforcements, with Fiorentina ace Sofyan Amrabat being the top target for a while now but the Red Devils still haven’t secured a deal. With just a few days left for the summer transfer window to slam shut, the expectation is that the club will soon intensify their interest in Amrabat but another option is now on Erik ten Hag’s mind.
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham have offered Manchester United the chance to talk to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg over a potential move to Old Trafford.
Hojbjerg, 28, looked as if he was going to be on his way to Atletico Madrid earlier in the window after Spurs accepted a £30million bid. However, the deal collapsed after the midfielder was unable to agree personal terms with Atletico.
Now, the Danish midfielder has surprisingly emerged as a target for Man United as Ten Hag is understood to be keen on bringing him in before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Manchester United—Right option?
Ten Hag is desperate to get another body in central midfield through the door before September 1—given Man United’s struggles in the middle of the park in the opening weeks of the 2023/24 season. The Dutchman will be without Mason Mount for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, while Scott McTominay’s future at Old Trafford continues to be uncertain.
The Red Devils have been linked with a number of midfielders but there has been little progress. The latest name to be linked with the club is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who had been a regular feature for Tottenham under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte but has fallen down the pecking order under new manager Ange Postecoglou. Spurs are ready to let him leave this summer, having offered United the chance to speak to the Denmark international.
Ten Hag has previously worked with Hojbjerg during his time as manager of Bayern Munich II and would like to be reunited with him. He was appointed as coach of the Bayern under-19s side in 2013, working with a teenage Hojbjerg during his time in Germany. Such was his admiration for the central midfielder, that he tried to sign him for Ajax from Southampton in 2020.
Capable of playing as either a No.6 or No.8, the Dane would be a decent addition to United’s midfield that was overrun in the opening two games of the season against Wolves and Tottenham, respectively. He would add much-needed solidity and energy to their engine room, whilst being a good option to rotate with Casemiro. When it comes to tenacity, work rate and physicality, Hojbjerg would be viewed as an upgrade on his compatriot Christian Eriksen.
Hojbjerg, with his Premier League experience and leadership qualities, could make an instant impact at Old Trafford, and interest in the 28-year-old midfielder suggests Ten Hag is after players he can trust from the onset.
