Jose Mourinho is plotting a reunion with Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as he scrambles to resurrect his Roma tenure.
The former Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United boss has expedited his usual process of alienating some of his players - managing to complete the feat in less than a season in the Italian capital.
Despite spending the most money of any Serie A club in the summer, the Giallorossi find themselves seventh in the table, with a battle on their hands to secure a top-four finish.
There has also been intense speculation regarding dressing room bust-ups, with the Portuguese head coach forced to address rumours he took aim at his players following the Coppa Italia defeat to Inter Milan.
An area that the Special One knows he must improve at Roma is in central midfield, having confirmed he currently doesn;t have player who can dictate the rhythm of the game.
Mourinho spent much of the summer window chasing Granit Xhaka, only for the combative midfielder to sign a new contract with Arsenal.
Hojbjerg has now emerged as a potential alternative to Xhaka, having fallen somewhat out of favour under Mourinho’s replacement in north London, Antonio Conte.
The Dane played the best football of his career under Mourinho, but Conte has rotated him with the likes of Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp in the centre of midfield, with Rodrigo Bentacur also drafted in during the January window.
According to Corriere della Sera via Sport Witness, Hojbjerg could ‘end up on the market’ by the end of the season
If that is the case, Mourinho would be keen to recruit a player he plucked from Southampton whilst in charge at Tottenham.
A potential move for Hojbjerg could also facilitate an exit for former Man United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The two had issues during the winger’s stint at Old Trafford and reports in Italy claim his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.
That’s despite Mourinho singling out the Armenian following the 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, which saw the 33-year-old deployed as a central midfielder.
“The chemistry can always be improved,” Mourinho explained following the draw with Sassuolo. “I can’t hide the fact that Cristante, Veretout, Pellegrini and Oliveira are quality players, but we don’t have those who need to play there, in the engine house, who make it turn, who choose the rhythm of the game.
“For me the adaptation of Mkhitaryan, who is obviously not a regista, was really good. He is not that player there, but among all those players he is the one who has more criteria, who thinks better about the game and movements, who finds the spaces better.
“For me he is the most functional player. We have to improve, we have to do everything possible to finish the season in the best position in the table.”
