Everton have reportedly identified Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as their number one transfer target as they go in search of a new midfielder this month.
The Toffees, as per claims from Sky Sports, are in the market for a new recruit in the middle of the park as they aim to support Carlo Ancelotti in his first transfer window as the club’s first-team manager.
Gianluca Di Marzio has reportedly informed Sky Sports News that Everton have set their sights on Hojbjerg, whose contract at Southampton expires at the end of next season.
Saints would, as per the emerging claims, demand £35 million for their skipper, which exceeds the Toffees’ valuation of the Denmark international.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Selling Hojbjerg midway through the season would be a big mistake, for us. We don’t think he’s been particularly impressive this term, but he remains the club captain, and Ralph Hasenhuttl has often alluded to how highly he regards him as the team’s leader.
With Mario Lemina out on loan, Southampton only have three established senior options – Hojbjerg, James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu – in the middle of the park, and replacing the Dane with a player of adequate quality at this stage of the transfer window would likely prove difficult.
Hojbjerg has started in all but two of Saints’ Premier League fixtures so far this season, further highlighting his importance to the plans of Hasenhuttl.
His contract situation could provide the club with some food for thought, however, With just 18 months remaining on his deal, and no news of an extension having been signed, we think Saints could be tempted to cash in if a lucrative offer arrives.
£35 million would be a steep price for the midfielder, in our opinion, but Di Marzio indicates that Everton are reluctant to part with such a fee, anyway.
We don’t think this move is especially probable in the current transfer window, but it is encouraging nonetheless to see that Saints are not likely to let Hojbjerg leave for anything less than top dollar.
