Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with a January transfer move for one star having previously been interested
Morten Hjulmand in action for Sporting
Sporting star Morten Hjulmand has been linked with Man United and Man City
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Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly looking into a January deal for Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
The 26-year-old was one of several midfielders linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. Despite the alarm bells within Ruben Amorim's engine room, The Manchester Evening News understands that the club did not consider strengthening their midfield as a priority.
The Denmark international has been tipped to reunite with Amorim at the Reds after working with him in Lisbon. Hjulmand reappeared as a possible addition late in the window after United were priced out of a move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba.
There has been speculation that the Reds will revisit a potential deal for Hjulmand in the January transfer window. But if they are to strike a deal, they may need to fend off interest from Pep Guardiola, with Portuguese publication Record claiming that City are also looking into a possible move.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas reportedly insisted to Hjulmand in the summer that he should turn down offers to triple his salary. However, it is said that Varandas acknowledges there will be more interest in January.
It is claimed that United and City are 'promising' to move for him. Their links to Sporting via Amorim and City's director of football, Hugo Viana, mean they know the player well.
The report adds that Hjulmand will only be sold if his €80million (£69.9m) release clause at Sporting is met. After linking up with Denmark during September's international break, the player was asked about his future and the transfer links. However, he was reluctant to be drawn into the speculation.
"Now you say rumours. And I don't relate to rumours," he said via Ekstra Bladet. "I have related to the fact that I should start at Sporting and get fit again after the holidays.
"I have come, and we have had some really good matches, where I think we have performed at a good level, even though we ended up losing at the weekend.
"I don't really want to answer whether I have had anything specific to say."
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