Atlético Madrid are continuing to push Tottenham for a deal for midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is their ‘number one objective’ to bolster Diego Simeone’s midfield.
That’s according to AS, who explain why they are so keen on signing the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
The newspaper explains that Atlético have been working on getting players out of their squad so they can open up space in the budget and then sign a ‘pivot’ for the midfield to compliment Koke.
Simeone sees Hojbjerg as the ‘ideal profile’ as at 27-years-old he is the right age and has various attributes, such as strength and a ‘great movement off the ball’ that make him the perfect player for what he wants.
In addition, he is also capable of getting forward and both scoring and assisting goals, bagging five goals and seven assists for Tottenham last season. Then there is his character, which Simeone values highly.
The problem is that Tottenham don’t particularly want to sell someone who is considered a key player, with Daniel Levy seen as a ‘very tough president to crack’ in negotiations.
With Hojbjerg also tied to a deal until 2025 there is no pressure for Tottenham to sell, even if the midfielder has made it clear he is open to a change of scenery and would like to join a Champions League team.
Atlético are very much in the mix for him, working on securing as many exits as possible to free up the funds to get a deal over the line.
That would suggest they’re eyeing up as much of a bargain deal as possible, something it’s unlikely Tottenham or Levy will be giving them any time soon.
