Real Madrid could reportedly target Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg if they sell Casemiro to Manchester United, in a major blow to Antonio Conte’s plans at Spurs. Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti is a huge admirer of the Denmark international.
Man Utd are understood to be closing in on a deal for Madrid ace Casemiro. Wide-ranging reports have suggested that a £60million deal has been agreed between the Premier League and La Liga giants.
Ancelotti revealed on Friday that Casemiro is expected to leave the Bernabeu this summer. The 30-year-old has grown frustrated by the arrival of a couple of midfielders, including the big-money addition of France starlet Aurelien Tchouameni.
Ancelotti wants to replace Casemiro, though, despite already strengthening his midfield over the last year. The Italian is apparently a fan of Hojbjerg and will target a transfer from Spurs.
“With what he’s done at this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. There are talks right now, nothing is official, but he wants to leave.”
Conte is a big fan of Hojbjerg, who has started both of Spurs’ matches this season. He scored a controversial goal in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with London rivals Chelsea.
Spurs signed fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton in a £35m transfer earlier this summer. Bissouma would likely be Hojbjerg’s replacement should he depart, although the Mali international is being eased into the team by Conte.
The Spurs head coach, 53, has confirmed that any major outgoings will be replaced, despite the club spending over £100m on new arrivals this summer. He said on Thursday: “I think that we are okay and if someone goes away then for sure another player has to come. Especially if some player wants to go and play regularly and it’s difficult to keep them here.”
