Manchester United and Arsenal are increasingly being viewed as the main Premier League contenders for Morten Hjulmand. Sporting CP quietly prepare for life after their captain.
Manchester City had looked particularly well positioned earlier in the process. However, the momentum around the story has shifted in recent days.
Portuguese reports are now placing Manchester United and Arsenal more prominently at the front of the race. Meanwhile, City have slightly faded into the background after initially appearing strongest.
At the same time, Sporting themselves are behaving more and more like a club expecting to lose the Danish international this summer.
Farewell feeling growing around Hjulmand
Sporting’s Portuguese Cup final on May 24 against Torreense is increasingly being treated in Portugal as Morten Hjulmand’s farewell match.
According to Correio da Manhã, the midfielder wants to leave the club by lifting another trophy. This would happen before completing an expected summer transfer.
There is also a growing feeling that his appearance against Gil Vicente may already have been his final match at Alvalade. Hjulmand scored Sporting’s third goal in the 3-0 win, adding another emotional layer to the sense that his cycle in Lisbon is ending.
Manchester United and Arsenal continue to be named among the strongest contenders for his signature, while Manchester City remain in the wider picture alongside Atletico Madrid.
Sporting already building the post-Hjulmand midfield
Perhaps the clearest sign of all is what Sporting are doing behind the scenes.
The Portuguese club are already actively preparing the midfield for next season with the expectation that Hjulmand will leave.
Correio da Manhã report that Sporting president Frederico Varandas is prepared to negotiate a transfer for around €40m (£34m). This is despite the player’s official release clause standing at €80m (£69m). At the same time, the club are already targeting replacements.
João Palhinha is viewed as the preferred successor. The midfielder, currently at Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich, reportedly wants to return to Portugal. He is even willing to lower his salary significantly to make the move happen.
Sporting have also accelerated other midfield business. Rodrigo Zalazar has already arrived from Braga in a €30m (£26m) move, while Pedro Lima is expected to join from AVS for €4m (£3.4m), plus another €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses.
The overall picture is becoming clearer with every passing week: Sporting are planning for a midfield without Hjulmand.
What happens next
Ousmande Diomande, Morten Hjulmand, Zeno De Bast
Oeiras, Portugal – 07 25 2025: Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand and Zeno Debast seen during Trofeu de Cinco Violinos game between teams of Sporting CP and Villarreal CF
The story around Hjulmand now feels more about who wins the race to sign this powerhouse of a player.
Manchester City may have appeared strongest earlier in the process, but the momentum has shifted towards Manchester United and Arsenal.
Sporting are already planning for the aftermath. The player himself appears increasingly close to a farewell. And England continues to dominate the conversation around his future.