Tottenham Expert: AFCON update could open the door for last-gasp Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg exit in January
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome John Wenham of Lilywhite Rose as our exclusive columnist. Each week, he’ll be giving his expert insight on the biggest talking points at Spurs…
John Wenham believes that an update from the African Cup of Nations has opened the door for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to leave the club before the transfer window closes.
Tottenham are currently without midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr as they compete at the African Cup of Nations.
It leaves Spurs light in midfield, with Ange Postecoglou being forced to start Hojbjerg in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (26 January).
The Australian is not the Denmark international’s biggest fan, having handed the 28-year-old just five Premier League starts this season.
While the return dates of Spurs’ key midfielders are still yet to be confirmed, the fixture list at the tournament has made things a little clearer and Wenham has speculated that this could have a big impact on Hojbjerg’s future.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Wenham said: “Mali and Senegal both made it through to the Round of 16 at the African Cup of Nations.
“Senegal will play Ivory Coast, which is not an easy game at all. Should both Senegal and Mali get through, they are set up to play each other in the quarter-final.
“This means we will have at least one of Bissouma or Sarr back very soon.
“If we add one of those two to Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison who are both now back, we suddenly have a lot of good options, with the likes of Oliver Skipp in the squad as well.
“This is why I think there will still be some movement out of the club before the window closes, and I think it is Hojbjerg who will be leaving North London.”
In other Tottenham news, one pundit believes a ball-playing Premier League centre-back would fit in well at Spurs as a transfer prediction is made.
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