David Tully Oct 15th 2025
Man United are expected to make an approach for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand early in the New Year, according to reports in Portugal.
Tabloid A BOLA claim that the Red Devils have promised a “new onslaught” to secure “one of the main targets” for the January transfer window.
They report that Ruben Amorim’s side are prepared to go as high as €60m (£52m) to snap up Hjulmand.
While many fans would regard that figure as excessive for a player of his profile, it may still not be enough for Sporting.
Hjulmand has a gentleman’s agreement to stay
The Danish international is believed to have given his word that he will remain with Sporting until the end of the season.
Combined with the fact that Hjulmand’s release clause is €80m (£70m), the Portuguese champions may not be in the mood to compromise if United do make a formal offer for the midfielder.
Even so, A BOLA say that Sporting are already looking at potential replacements, despite their apparent tough stance on a January sale.
Man United want to sign an “important” midfielder
Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that United’s main priority in 2026 is to bring in reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Speaking earlier this month, Romano said that the club’s recruitment team are seeking a “new important midfielder” to strengthen a weak area of the squad.
The likes of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and even Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham have all been mentioned as potential targets, but it does appear as if Hjulmand is another option that the Red Devils are seriously considering.
From the sound of things, the main challenge will be persuading Sporting to part ways with their player midway through the campaign.
Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
David Tully
David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World’s Football News Network.
