Tottenham have been warned they will not sign top transfer target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg if they do not increase their offer, claims the London Evening Standard.
Hojbjerg has entered the final 12 months of his current Southampton deal and has rejected the club's attempts to extend his stay.
The Denmark international wants to leave Southampton at the end of the season and has his eyes set on joining Jose Mourinho's Tottenham.
Everton have already had two offers rejected by Southampton, with the latest topping £20m, as Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of the former Bayern Munich midfielder.
Southampton are holding out for £35m for the 24-year-old despite the fact he could leave the club on a free transfer next summer.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are aware Hojbjerg would prefer to join Tottenham and have set a 48-hour deadline for Mourinho's side to make an improved offer or they will press ahead with talks with Everton.
Tottenham were hoping to send Kyle Walker-Peters to Southampton on a full-time basis in exchange for Hojbjerg but talks have stalled over the valuations of the two players.
Mourinho has already been warned there is little to no money to spend this summer as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and he now risks missing out on his top midfield target.
Ajax and Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Hojbjerg but unless they firm up their interest by the weekend then Everton are in pole position for his signature.
Hojbjerg has been superb for Southampton this season after struggling for form since his early breakthrough at Bayern six years ago.
Despite dropping out of the team since the restart due to uncertainty over his future, Hojbjerg has won possession in the midfield third more times than any other player in the Premier League this season (181).
