Arsenal’s midfield planning for the summer is already taking shape behind the scenes. The club are expected to revisit several names they have tracked over the past year.
One of those is Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
Hjulmand’s role and numbers
Morten Hjulmand’s importance to Sporting explains both the interest and the planning around his exit.
Since arriving from Lecce in 2023, he has become one of the central figures in the team and now wears the captain’s armband. His role is built on control, defensive work and leadership.
In terms of output, he has also contributed consistently this season. Across all competitions in 2025/26, Hjulmand has made around 41 appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists.
FootyStats data from the 2025/26 season shows he averages around 2.8 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per 90 minutes. In addition, he makes approximately 6.6 ball recoveries per match. Those numbers highlight his role as the primary shield in front of the defence.
He also contributes to structure in possession. Hjulmand averages over 60 passes per game with accuracy above 85%. Moreover, he makes roughly 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes. This helps maintain tempo and link phases of play.
That combination makes him a reliable presence rather than a high-variance one. This is something Arsenal have often prioritised in midfield construction.
A familiar profile
The Danish midfielder has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time. He fits a profile the club value – disciplined, positionally strong and capable of anchoring the team. This allows others to play ahead of him.
There is also a personal layer to this one. Hjulmand is known to be an Arsenal fan and even has a tattoo linked to the club,something that has been noted before when his name surfaced in transfer discussions.
Sporting, meanwhile, are a club Arsenal’s recruitment staff watch closely, as told by Record. The Portuguese side regularly develop midfielders who are tactically mature and ready for top-level football. This keeps their key players under constant Premier League attention.
Against that backdrop, there is now a clear expectation in Portugal that Hjulmand could move this summer – and at a price that changes the conversation.
Exit path opens at €40m
As we covered earlier this year, Sporting are already preparing for life after Morten Hjulmand.
There is an understanding in place that the midfielder will be allowed to leave at the end of the season if an offer of around €40m (£34m) arrives, Record says. That figure is well below his €80m (£69m) release clause. It effectively acts as a realistic market entry point.
The expectation internally is that he will go. Sporting have already started identifying replacements, with plans to sign a new defensive midfielder capable of stepping straight into the team.
They are also looking at broader midfield changes. The club are planning to bring in additional central players, anticipating departures and reshaping the balance of the squad ahead of next season.
What this means for Arsenal
For Arsenal, the situation is now clearer than before. Hjulmand is not just a monitored player. He is one who could realistically be available at a defined price point this summer.
The €40m (£34m) figure places him within reach for several Premier League clubs, including the Gunners.
There is no indication of advanced talks at this stage. The midfielder is focused on finishing the season with Sporting and has not opened the door to negotiations yet. Still, the conditions are now in place.
Arsenal are looking at midfield options. Hjulmand fits the tactical profile. There is a known personal connection to the club. And Sporting appear ready to sell under the right terms.
That combination is usually enough to keep a transfer story active – and this one looks set to develop as the window approaches.