Transfer Centre

Spurs transfer news: Dortmund ready to switch attention to midfielder?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2024

Dortmund 'identify' Spurs midfielder as Pascal Gross alternative

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly giving consideration to switching their attention to a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder if they are rejected by Pascal Gross.

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly identified a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder as an alternative to Pascal Gross.

With Edin Terzic having departed his role as head coach after guiding Dortmund to the Champions League final, there is now a period of transition at the Westfalenstadion.

The likes of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus have also left the club, placing the onus on Nuri Sahin to enter the transfer market to acquire the ideal alternatives.

For a number of weeks, it has been claimed that Dortmund have been the frontrunners in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Gross.

Despite having one year left on his contract, the 33-year-old has legendary status at the Amex Stadium and is being allowed to make a decision on his own future.

As it stands, though, Gross is still yet to give the green light to a Seagulls stay or a Dortmund transfer, leaving both clubs with uncertainty over whether he will feature in their respective squads.

Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the warm up before the match on October 27, 2023 © Reuters

Dortmund to turn attention to Hojbjerg?

According to Sky Sport Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, who was writing on X, Dortmund have placed Hojbjerg on a list of alternatives.

Spurs are known to be ready to cash in on the Denmark international during the summer transfer window with just 12 months remaining on his existing terms.

The 28-year-old would have been happy to move on at some point last season, only for the North Londoners to fail to attract a suitable bid.

Hojbjerg would instead make 10 starts and 29 substitute outings in all competitions, proving to be an important squad member in Ange Postecoglou's first season in charge.

Nevertheless, a sale will now materialise at some stage before the end of August, with Dortmund seemingly one of the options available to him.

Denmark's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in action with England's Jude Bellingham on June 20, 2024 © Reuters

What has Hojbjerg said on his future?

Coincidentally, Hojbjerg was at Dortmund's stadium on Saturday, representing Denmark in their 2-0 defeat to Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Plettenberg revealed a conversation that he had with the player, who said: "It's a great stadium. Now I'll take a vacation first, then we'll talk about the rest."

His stance would seem to indicate that there will be little movement on his future in the short term, with Gross seemingly needing to decide what he wants to do before Hojbjerg has all of the options in front of him.

Atletico Madrid have also been frequently linked with Hojbjerg over the past 12 months.