Manchester United and Arsenal are emerging as the two clubs most strongly positioned to sign Morten Hjulmand.
The Sporting captain’s expected summer exit is increasingly looking like a straight Premier League battle. In recent weeks, Manchester City had appeared to be leading the race. However, the latest reports place both United and Arsenal at the front of the queue instead.
Summer Transfer Agreement in Place
Hjulmand was already close to leaving Sporting earlier in the season.
According to reports, the midfielder had the opportunity to move in January, but instead reached an agreement with Sporting’s hierarchy to stay for the rest of the season and leave this summer. That helps explain why Sporting have appeared relatively calm throughout the growing transfer noise around the player.
There is now said to be an understanding in place allowing Hjulmand to leave for around €40m (£34m), despite his official release clause standing at €80m (£69m). So this increasingly looks like a transfer pathway that has been quietly prepared for months.
Midfield Reinforcements for United and Arsenal
The involvement of Manchester United is easy to understand. The club is eager to bring more control and consistency in midfield. As Casemiro’s exit approaches, Morten Hjulmand could be one to do the job.
Arsenal’s position is also logical, as the Gunners have been looking closely at midfield options capable of bringing structure and balance.
- Hjulmand is reportedly an Arsenal fan and even has a tattoo linked to the club.
Hjulmand’s Imminent Return From Injury
Any discussions will have to wait at least a week, as the midfielder is currently recovering from a foot injury. He is close to returning and could even feature against Gil Vicente this weekend.
If that happens, it may become his final match at Sporting’s Estádio do Alvalade. Sporting then face Torreense in the Portuguese Cup final, a game increasingly viewed as a potential farewell occasion for the captain before his expected summer move.
With the season nearing its end and farewell talk growing louder, the expectation now is not really whether Hjulmand leaves, but where he ends up once he does.