Pierre-Emile Højbjerg turns down Newcastle United’s transfer proposal

Newcastle United spent the summer chasing a seasoned midfielder to fill a gaping hole in their engine room. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was on their shortlist. The answer, it turns out, was no. The 31-year-old Danish international has rejected a transfer proposal from Newcastle, opting to remain at Olympique de Marseille despite reported discussions that suggested he was at least open to a Premier League return. What happened and why it matters Talks between Newcastle and Højbjerg’s camp reportedly took place between July 7-9, 2026, with the club valuing the midfielder at somewhere between £12 million and £15 million. That is a significant markdown from the £30 million Newcastle once offered Tottenham Hotspur for the same player, a bid that never came to fruition. Højbjerg ultimately decided to stay put. His agent confirmed he remains committed to Marseille, describing him as a “proud Marseille player” with no intention of leaving. The door is reportedly not bolted shut for future possibilities, but for this window, the conversation is over. Newcastle needed the deal to work. The club lost Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali from their midfield this summer, two players who were central to ...