José Mourinho has already made it clear to Real Madrid that he wants a midfielder of the highest class – one who currently plays in Portugal.
Morten Hjulmand has become one of José Mourinho’s first wishes for his new project at Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach knows the Dane’s importance to Sporting Lisbon from his own experience, and he believes that a signing will raise the level of competition in the white midfield considerably.
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Fights from the start of the match until it is blown off
The transfer fee could be around 50 million euros. It is a significant amount, but still manageable for a club that really needs to strengthen a key position on the pitch. Atlético Madrid and several Premier League clubs have also shown interest in the player, which means that Real Madrid must act quickly.
Mourinho wants muscle and order in midfield
José Mourinho knows perfectly well what kind of players he needs to build a team that can perform from day one. His football philosophy has always placed great emphasis on balance, intensity without the ball and the ability to win the individual duels. In that context, Hjulmand appears to be a very attractive piece.
The Dane is not a midfielder with superficial brilliance – he is a tactically heavy player. He organizes, corrects teammates, presses high, wins balls and carries the team through the most demanding moments. He is one of those players who rarely makes the front pages, but who ultimately proves to be absolutely indispensable for the biggest stars to be able to play with freedom.
Mourinho has experienced this first-hand in Portugal. Hjulmand has been one of the mainstays of the Portuguese league, so much so that he has been able to wear the captain’s armband at a club with enormously high demands. No one overlooks that kind of authority.
Real Madrid have a midfield with a lot of talent, but the team has not always found the right profile to provide stability in certain matches. Hjulmand can fill that void – a player with experience, energy and the ability to balance the team when the games break up.
Sporting prepares for a big sale
Sporting Lisbon know that it will be difficult to keep Hjulmand if a solid bid comes during the summer. The player has a valid contract and a high buyout clause, but in Lisbon they are fully aware that the market can push the transfer fee down towards more realistic levels.
50 million euros appears to be an amount that can start serious negotiations. It would not be just any sale for the Portuguese, who in recent years have shown great ability to develop, improve and sell talents to the major European leagues.
Hjulmand joined Sporting after impressing in Italy with Lecce, where he had already shown that he was a midfielder with European potential. He has flourished properly in Portugal, gaining more and more importance, taking on the leadership role and becoming a key figure in a competitive and recognizable team.
His profile also has special value because there are not many defensive midfielders of his caliber available in the market. At 26, he is at the perfect age – he has experience, but still room to take a big step forward at a high-pressure club.
Losing Hjulmand would be a sporting loss for Sporting, while for the player himself, this summer could be the ideal time to take the step up to a higher level.
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Real Madrid must run ahead of the Premier League
The main challenge for Real Madrid is competition. Hjulmand is not only interesting in Chamartín. Atlético Madrid have been following him closely as a potential reinforcement in midfield, and several Premier League clubs have also inquired about his situation.
The English league poses a real threat. The clubs there have financial power, they pay quickly and they like to invest in physical, intense midfielders who are ready for a very high pace. Hjulmand fits perfectly into that ecosystem.
Therefore, Real Madrid cannot afford to hesitate if Mourinho sees the Dane as a priority. In such transitions, speed can be crucial. Waiting too long can open the door to an unpleasant bidding round – or for the player to commit to another project.
In addition, the Dane has every reason to see Real Madrid as a very positive option. He will come to one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a coach who knows him well, and the opportunity to play an important role in a squad that is built to win from day one.
Mourinho wants a midfielder who provides structure, aggressiveness and reliability. Hjulmand meets all these requirements and seems more than ready to take the plunge.
Real Madrid already know the approximate price and are aware of the threat posed by their competitors. If the white club wants to satisfy their new coach, they need to act quickly. In an increasingly fast-paced market, the biggest signings are not waiting.
