- Manchester City’s Hugo Viana is reportedly driving a move for Morten Hjulmand.
- Sporting are reportedly willing to negotiate a deal in the €40m–€50m range.
- Interest in the Sporting captain comes amid growing uncertainty regarding midfield futures.
Hugo Viana and Manchester City have reportedly taken ‘concrete steps’ towards signing Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old Danish international has enjoyed a meteoric rise since arriving in Lisbon from Lecce for €19.5 million in 2023, and now serving as Sporting’s captain, Hjulmand has been the tactical anchor for a side that has secured consecutive league titles and impressed in Europe.
For Manchester City, now-sporting director Hugo Viana was the man largely responsible for Hjulmand’s success in Portugal, and as he further embeds himself into his role at the Etihad Stadium, he appears determined to bring the Dane with him.
While City are currently chasing a domestic cup double and preparing for a season-defining clash with Arsenal on April 26, the club’s hierarchy remains active behind the scenes to ensure the squad undergoes a refresh in parts for the 2026/27 campaign.
Man City begin process of signing Hjulmand
Now, according to A Bola, Manchester City have taken concrete steps to secure Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand in the next transfer window, having already made informal contact with the Portuguese giants’ management aiming of getting ahead of the competition.
City are said to have plenty in the way of competitors for the Denmark international’s signature including, among others, Juventus and Manchester United, and as such those at the Etihad Stadium want to secure the signing immediately after the end of the ongoing season.
However, for now, there are no direct negotiations underway between the two clubs, although City are aware that despite that player being protected by an €80 million release clause, Sporting’s management is open to negotiating for between €40 million and €50 million.
How could Hjulmand affect Man City’s midfield ranks?
The potential arrival of Hjulmand would likely trigger a domino effect within Manchester City’s midfield department, and the Denmark international’s physical presence and tactical intelligence are seen as the perfect profile to provide cover to Rodri.
Such a signing could lead to Manchester City reviewing the positions of Mateo Kovacic within the squad, while Bernardo Silva’s pending departure owing to an expiring contract naturally requires an arrival.
Manchester City Transfer Tracker: Live Updates on Signings, Contracts and Loans
As the summer market approaches, it remains to be seen whether Sporting could allow City secure their latest world-class talent for nearly half of his contractual valuation and release clause.
The player will be focused on finishing the season in Lisbon, although the pull of a reunion with Viana and chance to play under Pep Guardiola – should the Catalan stay into next season – makes the Etihad Stadium seemingly the most probable destination for the Denmark star.
