Tremendous: Højbjerg Could Be Stripped Of Saints’ Captaincy Amid Tottenham Links

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has warned skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that he could be stripped of the armband if he doesn’t sign a new contract at St Mary’s.

The Danish midfielder’s current deal with the Saints expires in 2021 and he is a top Tottenham target for this summer, according to Sky Sports.

Hassenhuttl has admitted in an interview with BBC Radio Solent that Southampton would likely sell Hojbjerg this summer, rather than let him leave for free, but has outlined what decision he might be forced to take over the 24-year-old’s captaincy if he does stay.

“It’s not good for him and I don’t think the situation would be good for him,” he told BBC Radio Solent, according to the Southern Daily Echo.

“As a captain, you cannot lead a team without extending your contract. This is always difficult.

“We must look at what we have. I think we should avoid letting players go without a transfer fee. This is what we should avoid. It’s not good to go into the last year of your contract – especially as a young player with a big future.

“This is not the ideal situation, but we have opportunities to handle it and we will have talks with other players and find a decision.”

Hojbjerg certainly appears to be positioning himself for a move, having told Danish outlet Sport1 that he is ready to test himself at the next level.

This could be a desperate play from Hasenhuttl to try to get him to change his mind, as losing the armband would probably hurt the former Bayern Munich man who has been an inspirational skipper for the Saints this season, leading from the front in their post-Christmas revival.

His leadership is one of the reasons why I think he’d be a good signing for us and I can’t see this threat deterring him from a potential move.

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