Newcastle fans will love what Jose Mourinho has said about 'genius' they are trying to sign
Newcastle fans should be keen to see their club make a move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after what Jose Mourinho said about him in their time at Tottenham.
New reports have claimed that Newcastle are considering a move for Danish international Hojbjerg in the final weeks of the transfer window.
New boss Matthias Jaissle is keen to add some much-needed experience to his squad as Bruno Guimaraes makes a move to Arsenal.
The Magpies have already lost Sandro Tonali to Spurs, while the likes of Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have arrived without any prior Premier League appearances to their names.
Hojbjerg has emerged onto Newcastle's radar after several standout seasons at Marseille, following his initial loan from Tottenham in 2024.
He made over 250 appearances in the Premier League across eight seasons at Southampton and Spurs, with praise from a top manager proving why he could be exactly what Newcastle need this summer.
Jose Mourinho thinks Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a 'phenomenal' player
Hojbjerg became an instant starter at Spurs after joining from Southampton in 2020 for around £15million.
Mourinho oversaw his arrival that summer, with a particularly impressive performance coming in his first few months at the club in their 2-0 win over arch-rivals Arsenal.
Hojbjerg featured for 90 minutes in the December win, as he won three fouls and eight duels, and also made 11 defensive contributions and eight recoveries.
Mourinho could not hide his appreciation for the Dane after the game, as he thanked then-chairman Daniel Levy for facilitating his signing that summer.
He told reporters: "Pierre is, first of all, very intelligent. He reads the game very well. He’s going to be a coach one day, for sure,” Mourinho told journalists. He’s a pain, asking questions about why we do this and why we do that. On the pitch, he reads the situation very, very well and the people that surround him are really compact, they read the game.
“Physically he’s very, very strong and technically he’s much better than people think. Because sometimes people think the guy that is good technically is the guy that does the backheel. The guy that is good technically is the guy that does something wonderful. But these are not my words. These are words from coaches of 30, 40 years ago. Simplicity is genius.
“And the guy is so simple in everything he does with the ball. And I think he’s a phenomenal player. Congratulations, Mr. [Daniel] Levy [Spurs chairman].”
Newcastle supporters may not be too enthusiastic about the prospect of signing Hojbjerg, but such quotes speak to the huge impact that he could have off the pitch in terms of driving standards, as well as on it with some strong showings.
Which other midfielders are Newcastle targeting?
With Guimaraes set to follow Tonali out of St James' Park, there are also question marks over Joelinton's future after he asked to leave to join a Saudi Pro League club.
Jaissle looks to be after two midfield signings, as result, with Hojbjerg eyed as an experienced addition alongside a younger star.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Newcastle are interested in Bournemouth's Tyler Adams right now, alongside Man United.
Newcastle are reportedly lining up a bid to sign Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha, while Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller remains a target.