Manchester United and Arsenal’s pursuit of Morten Hjulmand may not be as straightforward as it looked a few weeks ago. Now, a new contender is threatening to change the picture completely.
The two Premier League clubs have increasingly been presented in Portugal as the leading candidates for the Sporting captain. However, there is now a growing possibility that Hjulmand could end up heading somewhere entirely different.
And José Mourinho may be the reason.
Mourinho wants him in Madrid
At the end of last month, reports from Spain claimed Mourinho had already identified Hjulmand as a player he wanted at Real Madrid.
Those claims emerged shortly after growing speculation that the Portuguese manager could be heading to the Bernabéu. This came after reports linking him with the position if Real Madrid decided to make a change. At the time, the story felt speculative.
Now, a fresh report from Portugal has put the connection back in the spotlight.
According to Record, Hjulmand recently became aware of Mourinho’s interest and was “honoured” by it. The newspaper again places Real Madrid into the wider conversation around the midfielder’s future, alongside the Premier League clubs that have dominated recent reports.
Whether Real Madrid themselves are actively pursuing the player is another question entirely. Still, Mourinho’s admiration appears genuine, and the link has not disappeared.
Sporting agreement remains in place
The latest report also reinforces what has become one of the key themes of the Hjulmand saga.
Sporting remain prepared to let the midfielder leave for around €40m (£34m). This is despite his release clause standing at €80m (£69m).
That figure stems from an understanding between player and club, with Sporting willing to reward the professionalism Hjulmand has shown throughout his time in Lisbon.
The Danish international has never hidden his desire to eventually play in England. This is one reasonManchester United and Arsenal have looked so well placed in recent months.
But a call from Madrid would inevitably complicate matters.
What happens next
The expectation in Portugal remains that Hjulmand will leave Sporting this summer.
Manchester United and Arsenal are still regarded as the strongest contenders. The player has long expressed an ambition to play in England, and the agreed €40m (£34m) exit route makes a Premier League move highly realistic.
But Real Madrid is not a club that can be ignored. Especially when Mourinho is attached to the rumours.