Manchester City’s interest in Morten Hjulmand has never really disappeared, and it’s a popular theme in the Portuguese media given the Hugo Viana link.
Earlier this week, we covered how Arsenal and City remained two of the strongest Premier League contenders for the Sporting captain after Italy began to fall away as a realistic destination.
Hugo Viana was already an important part of that story, given he signed Hjulmand for Sporting and has continued to admire the midfielder’s qualities since moving to the Etihad.
Now, A Bola have added more detail.
According to the Portuguese newspaper, Manchester City are genuinely considering Hjulmand as part of their midfield rebuild, with the Dane’s situation actively being handled inside the club by Viana.
Hugo Viana leading City’s assessment
A Bola report that Hjulmand’s file remains on Hugo Viana’s desk as City continue planning significant changes in midfield this summer. The process is still described as being in its early stages, but the interest is real.
That should not come as much of a surprise. Viana was the one who recruited Hjulmand from Lecce for €18m (£15.5m) in 2023. He knows exactly what the midfielder can bring, both on and off the pitch.
The financial side is also straightforward at this point. Although Hjulmand’s release clause stands at €80m (£69m), Sporting and the player have had a gentleman’s agreement in place for around a year allowing a transfer for between €40m and €50m (£34m-£43m).
For a club with City’s resources, that fee is not viewed as an obstacle.
Midfield rebuild creates opportunity
Instead, the question is where Hjulmand sits within City’s wider recruitment plans. According to A Bola, there are currently other midfield targets further down the road.
The newspaper says City are working on a huge move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. That deal alone could reach around €150m (£129m).
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali also remains on the shortlist, although his price is expected to exceed €100m (£86m). But those are the headline targets.
However, A Bola explain that City’s midfield overhaul is so extensive that Hjulmand continues to have a place in the discussion.
The club have already seen Bernardo Silva leave. Rodri continues to be linked with Real Madrid. Mateo Kovacic is said to be heading towards the exit because of his high salary, while Kalvin Phillips is also expected to move on after his last loan spell.
That leaves City needing multiple solutions rather than a single signing.
Sporting relationship remains smooth
Another detail reinforced by A Bola is how Hjulmand is handling the situation.
The midfielder continues to speak regularly with Sporting’s hierarchy about his future. As captain, he feels he owes the club complete transparency throughout the process.
According to the newspaper, Hjulmand is also determined to avoid a repeat of the tensions that surrounded Viktor Gyökeres’ departure.
Instead, both player and club remain aligned on how a transfer should be handled. And it seems to be going just fine for now.
So with Hugo Viana overseeing the dossier and Sporting prepared to negotiate within the €40m-€50m (£34m-£43m) agreement, Hjulmand remains a genuine option as Manchester City reshape their midfield this summer.