Man United Push for Morten Hjulmand: €40m Bid Rejected, Sporting Stand Firm at €50m
Manchester United Step Up Pursuit of Morten Hjulmand
Manchester United have taken a decisive step in their search for midfield reinforcements by submitting a €40m offer for Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand. The Danish midfielder, only 26, has captured attention in Portugal since his move from Lecce in 2023, quickly earning the armband at Sporting thanks to his leadership on and off the ball. United’s move comes as they look to overhaul their midfield after Christian Eriksen moved on and Casemiro’s influence started to wane. The club’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, knows Hjulmand inside-out from their time together at Sporting, and is backing him as the answer to United’s emerging midfield gaps.
Sporting CP, though, aren’t in a hurry to let their captain go cheaply. Hjulmand’s contract includes an €80m release clause, but Sporting have revised their demands to a €50m straight sale, reflecting their need for flexibility in the current transfer market. Manchester United’s initial €40m bid falls short, and Sporting’s stance is clear: no deal unless the price rises closer to their updated valuation. Behind the scenes, United are confident negotiations have room to move, especially with the player himself open to a Manchester switch given his connection with Amorim.
Juventus Enter Transfer Race with Rejected Swap Proposal
The transfer tug-of-war isn’t just a two-horse race. Over in Italy, Juventus also made overtures for Hjulmand, but attempted to bring the cost down by offering a swap deal involving current squad players. Sporting, keen on a cash-only transaction, flatly rejected Juventus’ proposal. With the Italian club’s offer off the table, the road clears a little for United—but the price hasn’t budged.
It’s not a surprise Hjulmand has drawn this level of interest. His energy, ball-winning ability, and coolness under pressure have been on show in Liga Portugal and across Europe. Since taking up the Sporting captaincy, he’s cemented himself as an organizer and motivator—a rare blend of tactical discipline and personality. That’s exactly what United are betting on as they continue to reshape the engine room at Old Trafford.
This transfer season, United have already landed forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, signaling a clear focus on refreshing multiple areas in the squad. Now, the spotlight turns to midfield, with the club prioritizing Hjulmand before looking at any wider options. As talks with Sporting continue, all eyes are on whether United will bridge that €10m gap to land their prime summer target, or look elsewhere if negotiations stall.