Exclusive: Spurs place 24-yr-old top of summer shopping list amid 2 big developments
Tottenham will continue to pursue Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, Football Insider understands.
The Londoners expressed a strong interest in the Denmark international in January but the Saints were unwilling to sell him in mid-season.
A Tottenham source has told Football Insider that the club remain very keen on Hojbjerg, 24, and he is top of their list of midfield targets ahead of the next window.
Spurs know a deal for the former Bayern Munich man will not be easy amid strong competition, with Everton also firmly in the race.
However, two major developments have provided encouragement for Hojbjerg's suitors.
He has knocked back Southampton's attempts to extend his contract, which expires in the summer of 2021, and he recently appointed super-agent Pini Zahavi as his new representative.
That is a clear sign the central midfielder is looking to secure a move to one of the world's elite clubs this year.
Hojbjerg has played a pivotal role in Southampton's recent revival and boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has made it publicly and privately clear he wants to keep him.
The defensive midfielder has started 25 of Southampton's 27 Premier League matches this season among 31 appearances in all competitions.
He has accumulated 127 matches for the Saints since signing in 2016 after playing a part in three Bundesliga-winning seasons while at Bayern, albeit without being a regular.