Manchester United may not pursue a summer move to sign 26-year-old Danish international Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Give Me Sport, Morten Hjulmand is the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils are eager to bolster their first-team squad by signing a holding midfielder in the summer transfer window. So, the 26-year-old Sporting CP star has emerged as a target.
However, Manchester United may not sign the Dane in the summer transfer window, as they are concerned about their ability to afford a deal for Carlos Baleba next year if they fork out £69 million on the Sporting CP midfielder this summer. So, they have second thoughts about entering negotiations with the Portuguese giants.
Morten Hjulmand and his Sporting CP career so far
Morten Hjulmand has gone from strength to strength since joining Sporting CP from US Lecce in August 2023. The 26-year-old hit the ground running at the Portuguese club, with Ruben Amorim bringing the best out of him. The Manchester United manager also handed the captain’s armband to the player during his time at Sporting CP.
The Danish international has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Sporting CP while chipping in with eight goals and six assists. Meanwhile, Hjulmand’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Manchester United may be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
A reunion between Hjulmand and Amorim on the cards?
Manchester United’s interest in Morten Hjulmand is understandable. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a holding midfielder this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Casemiro’s long-term future. Additionally, Manuel Ugarte has struggled to make his mark since joining Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, while Christian Eriksen is no longer at Old Trafford.
So, Carlos Baleba emerged as Manchester United’s top target for the holding midfield berth before Brighton & Hove Albion ruled out a summer move. While the Cameroonian international remains a target, albeit for next summer, Hjulmand has emerged as an alternative for this year. However, a deal for the 26-year-old Dane may not materialise.
Sporting CP will point to Hjulmand’s release clause of £69 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window, thus leaving Manchester United concerned. The Red Devils are reluctant to sign the Danish international, as they do not want to block funds for Baleba next year if they fork out £69 million on Hjulmand this summer. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the player.