Tottenham miss late Connor Gallagher transfer trick as new Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg update emerges

We’re delighted to welcome former Scotland right-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Alan Hutton has admitted that Tottenham may have missed a trick during the January transfer window as selling Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg could have helped fund a move for Connor Gallagher or Antonio Nusa.

Reports have emerged that the Danish midfielder has opted to remain in North London for the remainder of the season, having rejected all potential offers to leave Ange Postecoglou's side, with his focus entirely on helping Spurs [Florian Plettenberg, 29 January]

Tottenham News has been told that the midfielder will not be offered a new contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Spurs still expect to be able to raise a reasonable fee for his services during the summer transfer window.

While Hutton admits that it is impossible to force a player out of a club while under contract, he does think that Spurs may have missed a chance to raise some funds that could have been put towards a potential new incoming.

"Potentially, but I think January can be a tough one, especially when a player doesn't want to leave," Hutton told Tottenham News.

"You look at Hojbjerg for an example, he'll assess all of his options and if he thinks none of these suit me or I don't fancy them, he doesn't have to leave. He's got a contract where he is and he might not be a starter but the manager still uses him in certain games.

"It's not like he's been frozen out and that's what it comes down to in January and why not just wait until the summer? It's not that far off so I imagine that's probably what they'll end up doing."

While he hasn't been a regular starter under Postecoglou, Hojbjerg has made 20 appearances in the Premier League this season, albeit only four of those matches have seen the 28-year-old named in Tottenham's starting XI.

With Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr both expected to return from the African Cup of Nations in the coming days, Hojbjerg could be set to see his involvement dwindle throughout the remainder of the season and a summer transfer away from North London feels almost certain.

In other Tottenham news, Hutton has offered his verdict on a move Antonio Nusa after a medical issue emerged at Brentford

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