But that doesn’t mean the deal is dead.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of Tottenham Hotspur’s current players who is most closely linked with a move away from the club this summer — perhaps the third most likely behind Harry Kane and Davinson Sanchez.

There’s been a lot of background chatter about interest from Atletico Madrid, and according to the Times of London, there’s been a bid of £16m for his services.

Apparently it’s been rejected. The article goes on to say that there’s still confidence that the clubs will come to an agreement eventually for his sale and move to Spain, and then drops this little news bomb that Spurs are also rekindling their interest in Franck Kessie, which just means the show-writers have given up on new ideas and are just recycling old plot lines now.

£16m is a little low for Hojbjerg in my opinion, and I have a feeling I’d let him go for a LOT less than most of the readers of this blog.

But I do think he’ll go, and probably for closer to £20-25m which for me feels about right for a 28 year old with two seasons left on his contract and a billion miles on his legs over the past three years. As for Kessie, he’s 26 now and as good as he is I’m no longer certain if he’s as good a fit for Ange Postecoglou as he probably was for Antonio Conte. The Times doesn’t say what he might cost, but personally I’d probably give him a pass unless it’s too good of a deal to turn down.

RAED MORE:

Tottenham renew interest in Barcelona midfielder, reports

According to the Times’ Gary Jacob, Tottenham has renewed its interest in Barcelona central midfielder Franck Kessié.

Tottenham’s interest in the 26-year-old dates back to the winter transfer window. The club has intermittently monitored Kessie, renewing its interest as the 2022-23 season ended.

Airwaves went silent for a while, but Jacob believes Tottenham’s interest has recommenced. The Ivorian would cost any suitor about €25 million.

There is still interest from Serie A, but Kessie prefers a move to the top flight. However, Kessie hasn’t approved the potential move to Spurs, at least publicly.

So this, while not new, is still in its embryonic stages.

Kessie is under contract at Barcelona until the end of the 2026 season. He arrived on a free transfer from AC Milan during the summer, just before the 2022-23 campaign.

His preferred position is in central defensive midfield. He played as part of a double defensive pivot during his time at AC Milan and would be expected to slide into the No. 6 role if Spurs land him.

That’s a mammoth-size if.

This rumour is nothing but speculation at this stage.

Considering everything else going on at the club, including the Harry Kane frenzy and the desperation to sign at least one first-choice centre-back, the Kessie-to-Tottenham rumours are so far on the back burner it barely registers.