Manchester United target Morten Hjulmand rejected lucrative offers to leave Sporting CP this summer despite the Red Devils holding “several meetings” with the 26-year-old midfielder, according to reports.
Interest from Old Trafford
United were on the hunt for a “dynamic midfielder” throughout the transfer window as Ruben Amorim identified a lack of mobility in the engine room as a weakness in his squad.
The club’s first-choice target was Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Carlos Baleba, who has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Europe since arriving at the Amex Stadium two years ago.
The Seagulls were adamant the Cameroon international would not be sold this summer, however, refusing to be drawn into negotiations over a transfer.
It was believed it would require an offer in excess of £100 million, comparable to the £115m fee Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023, to change this stance – a price far beyond United’s capabilities this summer after spending over £200m on the forward line already.
Alternative names were considered, including Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Ederson (Atalanta), but a reunion between Amorim and his former pupil at Sporting, Hjulmand, was also explored with United’s head coach a big fan of the Denmark international after their shared success in Lisbon.
Fabrizio Romano reveals United held multiple meetings with Sporting to discuss the prospect of signing Hjulmand – but a deal “never advanced” because the Lions were adamant they would not lose two key players in the same window, having already sold Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal in July.
Hjulmand turned down offers
There was also significant interest in Hjulmand from Serie A heavyweight Juventus while other clubs in England, including Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham, were believed to have the Dane on their radar.
And seaking to the Portuguese press today (as relayed by Sports Witness), Sporting president Frederico Varandas confirmed this interest from Europe’s top clubs.
The 45-year-old executive reveals there were big-money offers for the club’s captain to leave, but he turned them to remain at the José Alvalade Stadium for another season.
“What I witnessed this season, once again, is that Morten looked certain to be heading to Italy and I have to give him a word because our captain refused several offers to earn three times more, and after a conversation with the board, Morten agreed to stay for another year. We kept Morten.”
Whether United return for the Hjulmand remains to be seen, given the noises emanating from Old Trafford are the club will return for Baleba once more next summer.
But the 26-year-old midfielder remains a player admired by Amorim and his loyal approach to Sporting demonstrates exactly the type of player and leader he is – one who would be welcomed to any dressing room across Europe.
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.
