Morten Hjulmand
Manchester City’s interest in Morten Hjulmand had started to look like one of the more concrete midfield moves heading into the summer window.
The Sporting CP captain has been heavily linked with a move away in recent weeks. Reports from Portugal suggested City had already made informal contacts, while the presence of Hugo Viana – who signed Hjulmand from Lecce – appeared to give the Premier League side a clear advantage.
At the same time, other clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Juventus have also been circling, reinforcing the idea that the 26-year-old is one of the most in-demand defensive midfielders on the market.
However, the picture is now far less straightforward.
Sporting stance and Rui Borges reaction
Sporting manager Rui Borges has moved to calm the growing noise around Morten Hjulmand, insisting the situation is being treated as a natural part of football rather than an imminent transfer.
Speaking ahead of the league clash with Estrela da Amadora, Borges addressed the increasing speculation, as relayed by O Jogo.
“I think it’s inevitable that people talk about him. He is a great player and he is having a good season. He already had a great season last year.”
The manager made it clear that the attention is seen internally as recognition of both the player and the club’s work:
“He is an important player for Sporting, for everything the team is showing, also at European level. It is natural that people talk about Morten and other Sporting players. That makes us happy, because it is a sign of individual and collective recognition.”
Borges also stressed that there is no sense of panic regarding a potential departure:
“Now, whether he leaves or not, I am very practical and very calm about it. I have said it several times. I am happy if he stays. If he does not stay, someone with value will come. That is part of our job, to develop players and help them grow.”
His comments suggest Sporting are prepared for any outcome, while also pushing back against the idea that a move is already taking shape.
Claims dismiss Manchester City move
While Manchester City have been strongly linked, a different version of events has emerged in Portugal.
CNN Portugal pundit Nuno Farinha has cast serious doubt on the idea of Hjulmand moving to the Etihad. According to Farinha, Manchester City are no longer pursuing the midfielder despite previous interest.
“The information I have is that City will not be the destination for Hjulmand.”
He also pointed to a shift in strategy at the Premier League club:
“It is true that in the last transfer window, in January, there was interest and there were conversations. But at this moment City no longer have interest, because they have defined other targets and are working on them.”
Farinha went further, suggesting that another major contender has also dropped out of the race:
“I also believe Atletico Madrid will not move forward, because they are very close to signing the Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta.”
Despite ruling out those destinations, he remains convinced that Hjulmand will leave Sporting this summer.
“I believe, 99%, that he will leave Sporting at the end of the season. But I can guarantee it will not be for City, and apparently not for Atletico Madrid either.”
What happens next
Morten Hjulmand’s situation now sits in a grey area. On one side, there are reports of concrete interest, informal contacts and a clear price range of around €40m to €50m (£34m to £43m). Sporting are already planning for a replacement, which suggests they expect a departure.
On the other, there are strong claims from within Portugal that some of the biggest clubs linked – including Manchester City – may no longer be actively pursuing the player.
For Arsenal, Manchester United and others previously mentioned, that uncertainty could open a window of opportunity. What is clear is that Hjulmand is expected to move. What is far less clear is where he will end up.
That uncertainty, rather than clarity, is now shaping the story as the summer window approaches.