Report: Arsenal ignored scout’s recommendation to sign Spurs-bound midfielder

Reports indicate that it will only be a matter of time before Tottenham Hotspur announce the capture of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with the midfielder having undergone his medical at Hotspur Way on Monday (Alasdair Gold).

The 25-year-old could prove to be a smart acquisition for the Lilywhites and should add much-needed some steel to the Tottenham midfield.

However, it turns out that Hojbjerg may well have ended up at Arsenal instead had Mikel Arteta and the club’s hierarchy listened to the advice of the club’s departing UK-based scout, Peter Clark.

The Athletic reveals that Clark was one of the victims as the Gunners made 55 staff members redundant, including many from the scouting department.

The report claims that Arsenal are looking to streamline their recruitment system and want to adopt a contact-led approach to transfers.

With Arteta intent on bringing in a defensive midfielder this summer, it is said that Clarke recommended Hojbjerg as an alternative to Thomas Partey.

However, the club have reportedly decided not to pay heed to the suggestion and will instead push ahead with a move for Partey, once Atletico Madrid finish their Champions League campaign.

Spurs Web Opinion

One cannot really question Arteta’s decision to go for Partey over Hojbjerg. While the Denmark international could potentially be a solid addition for Spurs, I suspect even Mourinho would have prefered the Atletico star if we had the money to sign him. However, it is unlikely that the Gunners will be in a position to meet Partey’s release clause, which it seems like they would have to do to sign him this summer. Only time will tell if they come to regret not going for Hojbjerg.

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