Manchester City’s midfield planning for the summer is already moving behind the scenes, with the club expected to make at least one significant addition in that area.
There is growing uncertainty around Rodri’s long-term availability, and City are looking at profiles capable of offering control, defensive structure and leadership in central areas. That has led them back to Portugal.
Sporting CP have become a regular reference point for top European sides when searching for tactically mature midfielders. And in the past few seasons, one name has consistently stood out – captain Morten Hjulmand.
City have been monitoring him closely across the campaign. Now, the situation appears to be shifting from simple interest towards something more concrete.
Why Hjulmand fits City
Morten Hjulmand’s profile explains Manchester City’s interest.
During the 2025/26 season, he has made around 41 appearances, contributing 3 goals and 4 assists across all competitions, with roughly 3,300 minutes played.
More importantly, his underlying numbers highlight his role in controlling games.
FootyStats data shows he averages around 2.8 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per 90 minutes, along with approximately 6.6 ball recoveries per match. Those figures underline his defensive reliability.
In possession, he averages over 60 passes per game with accuracy above 85%, as well as roughly 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes. He is not a high-risk creator, but he keeps the structure intact and the tempo consistent.
He also brings leadership. Hjulmand captains Sporting has been a central figure in their recent domestic success.
For City, that combination – tactical discipline, physical presence and leadership – fits the profile they are looking to add in midfield.
City begin positioning for deal
According to a fresh report by A BOLA in Portugal, Manchester City have already made informal contacts regarding Morten Hjulmand, as they look to move early in the market.
The Premier League champions are trying to get ahead of strong competition, which includes Juventus and Manchester United. Our recent coverage also includes Arsenal and Tottenham. But the idea is clear: position themselves early and be ready to act once the window opens.
And a key figure in this process is Hugo Viana, as previously noted.
Now part of City’s structure, Viana knows the Danish international extremely well. He was responsible for bringing the midfielder to Sporting from Lecce in 2023, in a deal worth around €19.5m (£16.8m).
That prior relationship gives City a significant advantage in understanding both the player and the conditions around a potential transfer.
There is also a strong working relationship between the two clubs, which further helps City’s position.
Price range established
Morten Hjulmand is protected by a release clause worth €80m (£69m), but the realistic transfer value is expected to be lower.
Sporting are open to negotiating a deal in the region of €40m to €50m (£34m to £43m). That range aligns with previous indications from Portugal and reflects a more market-driven valuation.
The club are not under pressure to sell. However, they accept that Hjulmand’s cycle in Lisbon is reaching its natural conclusion. His professionalism and consistent performances over the past three seasons have earned him the opportunity to move on.
Internally, Sporting are already acting on that expectation.
Successor already in planning
Sporting have been preparing for Hjulmand’s departure for some time, as we have covered back in February.
The club’s scouting department has prioritised the search for a replacement defensive midfielder. The plan is to reinvest part of the transfer fee into a player capable of stepping straight into the starting role.
The profile being targeted is similar – physical presence, tactical maturity and leadership potential, combined with room for future development and resale value.
This mirrors how Sporting have handled previous key departures, ensuring continuity even when losing influential players.
What happens next
There are no formal negotiations yet, but the groundwork is clearly being laid.
Manchester City have gathered information, established contacts and positioned themselves ahead of the competition. Sporting, for their part, are preparing for a sale they now consider likely.
With a defined price range, a known relationship through Hugo Viana and strong interest from multiple top clubs, this is a situation expected to develop quickly once the transfer window opens.
For now, City are doing what they often do best – moving early, gathering control and trying to stay one step ahead.