Arsenal and Manchester City’s hopes of signing Morten Hjulmand have suffered another setback after a dramatic twist in Portugal, with Atletico Madrid now reportedly reaching a preliminary agreement with the Sporting captain.
The midfielder’s future has become one of the summer’s most fluid transfer stories.
Manchester City initially appeared best placed because of Hugo Viana’s long-standing relationship with Hjulmand. Arsenal later emerged as one of the strongest Premier League contenders as reports in Portugal suggested England had become the midfielder’s most likely destination while interest from Italy faded.
Only last week, Portuguese newspaper A Bola poured cold water on reports from Spain that Atletico Madrid had already reached an agreement with Hjulmand, insisting no negotiations had taken place between the player and Diego Simeone’s side.
Now, however, the same newspaper is reporting something very different.
Atletico now have agreement
A Bola’s lastest report says Hjulmand has now reached a principle agreement with Atletico Madrid over a move this summer.
The next step is for the Spanish club to begin formal negotiations with Sporting.
And given that A Bola themselves previously rejected claims Atletico were leading the race, their latest report inevitably carries extra weight. Surely something has changed behind the scenes.
However, the Portuguese newspaper reiterates that Sporting’s position remains exactly the same.
Hjulmand still has an agreement with the club allowing him to leave for between €40m and €50m (£34m-£43m), despite his official €80m (£69m) release clause.
Sporting are therefore expected to listen if Atletico’s offer arrives in that range.
Bad news for Arsenal and Manchester City
Morten Hjulmand
For Arsenal and Manchester City, this is could be a setback.
Arsenal have repeatedly been linked with Hjulmand and were recently described by A Bola as one of the leading Premier League destinations, with a move to north London allowing the Dane to fulfil a childhood dream.
Manchester City have also remained firmly involved, largely because Hugo Viana continues to oversee the player’s file after bringing him to Sporting.
Neither club disappears from the race because of this report of course. Sporting still need to reach an agreement with Atletico. But if the latest information is accurate, Arsenal and City are now trying to catch a club that have already convinced the player.
One thing is clear: if A Bola have reversed their own position on Atletico’s progress, their new information should be convincing enough. Maybe this saga is moving to an end.
🇳🇱 The evisceration of Virgil van Dijk
❌ Liverpool player told he’s finished
➡️ Blamed for Koeman playing defensively
➡️ VVD being poor in group stage encouraged change
❌ ‘Betrayed everything our national team stands for’https://t.co/6yDeY4DC5j #lfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) June 30, 2026