Overview
- Multiple Portuguese and international outlets reported this week that Sporting has signalled it would take roughly €40–50m for captain Morten Hjulmand, down from the €80m release clause.
- The lowered price has intensified interest from Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United and from La Liga’s Real Madrid, with outlets saying each side is now monitoring the situation closely.
- Reports on Saturday and Sunday said Jose Mourinho has asked Real Madrid to pursue Hjulmand for about €50m, while Sporting’s manager publicly acknowledged top-club interest.
- Hjulmand is a 26-year-old Denmark international who has been Sporting captain since July 2024, exceeded 100 appearances for the club, and is prized for leadership, ball-winning and control in a No.6 role.
- No formal bids or completed transfers have been announced and Sporting is said to be identifying replacements as it prepares for the possibility of the captain leaving, so the next concrete steps will be any official offers and negotiations this summer.