Midfielder had ‘quite a few choices’ to leave Tottenham this summer – Director says
Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia reveals that even though Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had plenty of options in the summer, the former Tottenham man said one thing to him that made him confident about the transfer deal.
Hojbjerg’s surprise move to Marseille
Hojbjerg’s four-year spell at Spurs came to an end earlier this summer, with the 29-year-old signing on an initial loan deal with Marseille, with an obligation that will see the move become permanent next summer.
His decision to join the French club may have come as a surprise to some, given that the Tottenham man was being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Spain and Italy (Gazzetta dello Sport).
Hojbjerg not short of options
Benatia has now revealed that the 29-year-old admitted to him that a number of clubs across Europe had knocked on his door about a potential transfer.
However, the Marseille director explained that the Dane, who he had played with previously at Bayern Munich, gave him his word about moving to the south of France if the club could strike a deal with Spurs.
Benatia revealed in an interview with beIN Sports (as relayed by Le10 Sport) about the signing of Hojbjerg: “There were a lot of talks. One thing that went well with Pierre was when he told me: ‘I have England, I have Italy, I have this, I have there, but you find an agreement with Tottenham, I will only go to your place’.
“Then suddenly I started to be more relaxed. I know he’s a man of his word. He had quite a few choices.”
Hojbjerg’s impressive start at Marseille
Hojbjerg has settled in well at the Ligue 1 side, having already become a key part of the club’s engine room in midfield.
Roberto Di Zerbi’s men are flying at the moment, currently tied on points at the top of the table with Paris Saint-Germain after five matches.
After struggling to come close to winning silverware at Spurs, the Denmark international will be hoping to make history at the Orange Velodrome this season.
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