RALPH Hasenhuttl reckons he can tempt Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into signing a new deal at Saints.

The Denmark international’s current contract will have just a year left to run when this season comes to an end.

However, Hasenhuttl is confident he can persuade the central midfielder to stay at St Mary’s.

Saints’ boss said: “I am confident everybody wants to stay with a successful team and with a successful club and a club that shows a clear direction.

“Every player likes to play in such a club. It is about us to decide and him to decide. We have some good things to offer.

“We have some good targets to offer in terms of what we want to win in the next few years, so we will have the right conversations with everybody.”

There were reports earlier in the week that the 24-year-old had rejected a new offer, with Tottenham said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

This comes not long after Hojbjerg recently linked up with the so-called ‘super-agent’ Pini Zahavi.

Hasenhuttl has always made it clear that there weren’t going to be any discussions until he feels as though Saints have avoided relegation.

As it stands, his current marker is 36 points but that could move to 40 depending on how many points his side pick up in the next two games against Newcastle and Norwich.

The club are currently sat on 34 points, having lost four of their last five games in all competitions.

Despite the reports surrounding Hojbjerg, Hasenhuttl was quick to laugh off the notion his captain had rejected an offer.

“Nobody is turning any contract down because he has a contract for one more year and we have not spoken with anyone so far,” explained Hasenhuttl.

“We spoke about 36 points; we have 34 and nobody has been offered anything. We try to keep calm and concentrate on taking points.

“If you have this and we are in a safe area, then we can start talking.”