Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Tottenham hope to pip Everton and sign Southampton midfielder

The Denmark international, 24, was Saints captain before the shutdown but lost the armband after telling the club he he did not want to extend his current contract beyond 2021.

He has scored five goals in 133 games since joining Southampton from Bayern Munich for £12.8m in 2016.

Everton were in pole position earlier this month having bid around £19m.

But Hojbjerg is believed to be keen on a move to north London where he would have Europa League football.

Spurs' bargaining position is also thought to be strengthened by ongoing talks over the future of their full-back Kyle Walker-Peters, who spent the second half of the season on loan at St Mary's.

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