Danish international Morten Hjulmand could be an important piece in the major restructuring of the midfield that is underway at Manchester City – now under the leadership of Enzo Maresca. Sports director Hugo Viana is a key player in the process.
Morten Hjulmand is a name that is still on the table at Manchester City. The club is closely monitoring the Dane’s situation, and he could thus be part of the deep renewal of the midfield that the Citizens are now carrying out.
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A-Bola writes that since Denmark is not qualified for the World Cup, the time is good for negotiations.
Hjulmand’s buyout clause – he has a contract with Sporting until 2029 – is set at 80 million euros. But over the past year, there has been a tacit agreement between the parties that a transfer can take place at a lower cost, somewhere between 40 and 50 million euros.
The dossier is now on the table of Hugo Viana, sporting director at Manchester City – and the same man who in 2023 traveled to Italy to bring Hjulmand from Lecce to Sporting for 18 million euros.
Finances are no obstacle – but the competition is tough
Manchester City’s wallet is basically unlimited, but there are other issues that are currently higher on the agenda. Among other things, the hunt for Elliot Anderson’s sporting rights from Nottingham Forest – an operation worth an astronomical 150 million euros.
Also on the shopping list is Italian Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, a transfer that is theoretically more affordable – but not by much, as the Magpies are demanding over €100 million to release him.
Nevertheless, Hjulmand is a very real option, and City will be forced to make moves in midfield. Bernardo Silva has already left the club. Rodri could follow – Real Madrid are lurking in the wings. Mateo Kovacic earns very well and has one foot out the door. Kalvin Phillips, despite two years left on his contract, is expected to continue his career elsewhere after an unsuccessful loan spell at Sheffield United.
The captain who has emerged at Sporting
Since Hjulmand arrived at Sporting in the summer of 2023, he has played over 100 games and scored 14 goals. One season after arriving in the green-and-white shirt, he inherited the captain’s armband from Sebastián Coates. That says everything about the role he has been given at the club.
The midfielder, who turns 27 today, has been in regular dialogue with Sporting management about future opportunities. He is fully aware of his position as captain, his weight in the dressing room and the strong connection to Alvalade – and therefore wants to handle a possible exit in an orderly manner.
But one thing is certain: He will not make the same kind of noise as Viktor Gyökeres, who had a very turbulent departure from Sporting to Arsenal. Hjulmand wants to walk – if he goes – with his head raised and his back straight.
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