The latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip amid speculation around Morten Hjulmand and known target Carlos Baleba.
Morten Hjulmand celebrating a goal for Sporting CP.
Morten Hjulmand could be back on the market next summer.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Morten Hjulmand agreed to stay at Sporting CP for another season, despite mooted Manchester United interest, but is expected to leave Portugal next summer.
United weren't the only ones linked with the Denmark midfielder, who captains Rui Borges' team.
A reunion with former Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim was floated, while Juventus also pushed for a deal after cashing in on Douglas Luiz.
According to club president Federico Verandas - via Portuguese outlet A Bola - Hjulmand had "several" offers and was "lost to Italy" before Sporting chiefs talked him around and convinced him to stay for another year.
A Bola also reports that Sporting plan to leave Francisco Trincao in the front-line to inherit the captain's armband next season, in the anticipation that this is Hjulmand's final year in Lisbon.
United looked at other targets when it became clear Sporting were reluctant to sell their captain for less than his £69million release clause.
Morten Hjulmand played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP last season.
Morten Hjulmand played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP last season.
(Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
That clause is now understood to have expired, but Hjulmand - who is under contract until 2028 - is not expected to move on the cheap.
He would still cost less than Carlos Baleba, though, even if Brighton were to lower their nine-figure asking price.
Hjulmand, 26, has captained Sporting for all four of their Primeira Liga games this season.
Borges' team won the first three games of their title defence, but lost at home to Porto last time out.
He also played the entire 90 minutes for Denmark as they drew at home to Scotland on Friday night - with United wing-back Patrick Dorgu an unused substitute for the match.
Denmark are back in action on Monday night, facing Greece in Piraeus.
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