Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has refused to address speculations of a possible deal involving Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Kyle Walker-Peters.
The Saints’ midfielder who was recently stripped off captaincy duties is reported to be keen on a move to Tottenham, who also have Walker-Peters at the St. Mary’s Stadium. Spurs are said to be interested in using the right-back as a makeweight to bring the midfielder to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Walker-Peters has been a good addition for Southampton since joining on a temporary contract in January. But with three games to go, Hasenhuttl dismissed talks of any transfer issues with his focus being to finish the Premier League season.
“I don’t concentrate so much on the transfer market to be honest. I know we have some targets but it is such a busy time, I have to focus on getting a performance from my team and the opponents we are facing.
“It costs a lot of energy at the moment to find the right game plan. You can imagine if you are playing teams like (Manchester) City and United you need a perfect game otherwise you have no chance.
“So there is a lot of preparing, especially with two or three days between games. My scouts are giving me some information in the players that are of interest to us, we are busy in the background.”
With reports linking the club with a move for Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu, the Austrian coach has admitted his team are looking at strengthening the defensive department. But once again refused to comment on the links with the young centre-back.
“It’s right that we are looking in this position, but I don’t want to discuss or agree to these rumours,” Hasenhuttl said. “We always have some players in our minds and centre-back position is a position we want to do something.
“I think we have a little longer transfer window maybe to face, it’s important we don’t make as many signings but the signings we will make they must be perfect.
“We can be earlier, this season we can do it because we are on the safe side of being in the Premier League next season, last season it was different. We try to take this advantage and get the right players at the right moment.”
Southampton square off with Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday having fought hard until the dying embers of the game to secure a 2-2 draw Manchester United.
