Manchester United’s pursuit of Morten Hjulmand is in jeopardy after a Premier League rival identified the Denmark international as a key target, according to a report.
Amorim remains a huge fan
Hjulmand, 26, is Sporting CP’s captain and midfield powerhouse, forming an integral part of the Lions’ title-winning side over the past two seasons.
But it was under Amorim’s tutelage that the Dane first rose to prominence in Lisbon, after completing an €18 million move from Lecce in 2023, with the Red Devils’ head coach describing him as a “complete midfielder”.
Fabrizio Romano reveals the Portuguese remains a fan of Hjlumand – “a player who’s always been appreciated by Amorim” – with United holding multiple meetings over the summer to explore a move for the midfielder.
Sporting were adamant they would not lose their captain in the same transfer window as star striker Viktor Gyokeres, however, and a deal never progressed.
There was interest from elsewhere in Europe with Serie A giant Juventus strongly linked with Hjulmand.
But Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas reveals the 26-year-old turned down big-money offers from abroad to remain in the Portuguese capital.
Interest from North London
Hjulmand rejecting offers to stay with Sporting allows for the possibility of United to revisit their interest next year.
The Red Devils continue to struggle in midfield with a plan to recruit multiple options over the next two transfer windows.
However, they face competition from Tottenham Hotspur should they return for Hjulmand, who have “serious interest” in the Dane after new manager Thomas Frank identified him as a must-have.
A report from Spain relayed by TEAMtalk reveals Spurs are now plotting to “steal” the midfielder from under the nose of United as they “believe” he is the key to overhauling Frank’s engine room.
“According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Spurs have expressed ‘strong interest’ in Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand – a compatriot of Frank’s.
The manager is said to ‘believe’ that Hjulmand could be key to his midfield, and is therefore planning to put €60million (£52.3m) on the table for him. The report suggests the Premier League could be an ‘irresistible’ opportunity for the midfielder.”
Hjulmand’s loyalty to Sporting is unlikely to extend past another transfer window, meaning the Dane will almost certainly be on the move next year.
INEOS will need to act quickly to ensure it is the north west of England he ends up in, not north London.
Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
