Arsenal are among the frontrunners to land Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer, according to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha.
The Gunners could enter the transfer market for a defensive midfielder with the possibility of Christian Norgaard heading for the exit door.
Correio da Manha today claim that Hjulmand’s departure from Sporting CP is gaining momentum.
The Dane initially planned to leave the former Portuguese champions last summer, but settled on a gentleman’s agreement to delay his exit.
Hjulmand will now be permitted to leave during the upcoming transfer window.
The midfielder has a staggering £70 million release clause in his contract, but he could be permitted to depart for just £35m during the summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United are ‘in the front line’ to sign the 26-year-old.
Hjulmand would be an upgrade on Norgaard
Norgaard was signed as a backup defensive midfielder behind Martin Zubimendi last term, but he has hardly played for the Gunners in the Premier League.
The former Brentford man has managed just 59 minutes of regular league action, and we won’t be surprised if the 32-year-old decides to push for an exit.
Arsenal could likewise open the door for his transfer to pursue an upgrade. Hjulmand would be a fine addition to the ranks, given that he shares similar traits with Zubimendi.
The former Lecce man completed 93 percent of his passes in Sporting CP’s Champions League campaign. He won six duels and two tackles per game alongside six recoveries and two interceptions.
Manchester United are also hot on the trail of Hjulmand, as per Correio da Manha, but Arsenal should have an edge, given he is a boyhood Gunners fan and has the club crest tattooed on his arm.
The big question remains whether he would be prepared to compete with Zubimendi for a starting role. At United, he could be seen as a regular starter with Casemiro on his way out on a free transfer.
Stats from Sofascore