The Athletic's Southampton correspondent Carl Anka has made an interesting claim on the future of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, when replying to a supporter's tweet about the length of the midfielder's contract.The Denmark international has emerged as a key player at St Mary's since signing from Bayern Munich in 2016, in a deal worth a reported £12.8m.Højbjerg has started 18 of Southampton's 20 Premier League games this season, recording one assist, and with his contract set to expire next summer - as Anka states - an interesting claim has been made by The Athletic's Saints correspondent.

What did he say?

Anka wrote the following in response to a fan: "Next summer. But the conversation around PEH's contract is odd. Apparently there's been a private gentleman's agreement had."

Very interesting claim

While Anka's tweet leaves a lot to be desired, it is still a very interesting claim nonetheless.

Is he hinting that Southampton have agreed to let the 24-year-old leave when his contract expires?

Or could Anka be suggesting something else?

Describing Højbjerg's contract situation as "odd" doesn't really do much to provide a lot of information, although Anka's claim does trigger a lot of questions about what the Saints have actually agreed to with the midfielder.

Hasenhuttl has already said in the past that he has no problem with playing the Dane despite being aware that his contract is running out, and this claim from Anka only adds extra intrigue to the situation.

If the south coast side have made a 'gentleman's agreement' to let Højbjerg leave, then it would come as a real blow given his status as one of the first names on Hasenhuttl's teamsheet, so for the sake of those who hold Southampton close to them, let's just hope that Anka is not claiming that.

In other news, Southampton would be wasting their time by competing with two Premier League clubs for this French midfielder...