Marseille advisor Medhi Benatia has told Tipsbladet that they intend to buy Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
In the summer window, the Ligue 1 side signed the 28-year-old on a loan deal with an option to buy.
The Tottenham owned player has started in every league fixture for Marseille this season. He was substituted only once, in his side’s 3-1 win over Toulouse at the end of August.
Højbjerg has quickly settled in at his new club so much so that he captained Marseille on three occasions this season. The advisor insists the midfielder has been playing a big role at the French club, both on and off the pitch.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are third in the table, trailing league leaders Paris Saint-Germain by five points. Benatia was asked to explain the Denmark international’s contribution to the club’s good start to the season.
“It’s actually easy to answer, because you can just look at the statistics. Pierre is one of the best, or the best, player in Ligue 1 when it comes to ball possession and successful passes. It says everything about his role on the pitch and as a leader in midfield,” he said.
“But for me it’s also about his great influence off the pitch. He’s a natural leader and a good example for all his teammates, especially the young players. We have a very young team, and Pierre is essential for them so they can learn what it means to play football at such a high level. He is really important to Roberto De Zerbi.
“Today he’s captain of the national team, and he’s also been given the armband here when captain Leo Balerdi has been out. In football there are no coincidences. He makes the team stronger, and he’s already indispensable. He represents exactly what a Marseille player should be according to our president: exemplary, professional, dedicated and hardworking.”
De Zerbi’s side have a clear aim to qualify for the Champions League next season. The club advisor insists the Tottenham man has a role to play in helping them achieve this. He mentioned this when revealing Marseille’s plans for the Dane.
“Pierre has signed a loan agreement with an option to buy, so the move will soon become permanent,” Benatia explained.
“Pierre will help us with our project to qualify for the Champions League. We need to be part of the top 24 European clubs, which are the ones that qualify for last 16 in the new Champions League format.”