Arsenal have been informed by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas that they remain capable of securing the transfer of midfielder Morten Hjulmand, despite Atletico Madrid currently leading the chase. The Denmark international is widely expected to leave Sporting this summer, having previously attracted interest from clubs including Manchester United, though he remained with the Portuguese side last year.
Sporting are now prepared to sell Hjulmand for a fee of around €50 million, a significant reduction from his €80 million release clause, acknowledging his value to the club while allowing him to pursue a new opportunity. This lowered asking price has generated interest from multiple clubs, recognising Hjulmand’s consistent performances for Sporting.
Hjulmand currently captains Sporting and has been lauded by former manager Ruben Amorim as a more complete player than previous midfield departures Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte, who secured the club €24.9m and €60m respectively. Atletico Madrid are currently the frontrunners, reportedly having agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old and engaging in advanced negotiations with Sporting.
However, negotiations between Atletico and Sporting have stalled, with Sporting rejecting an initial offer and awaiting an improved bid from the Spanish side. Arsenal have been monitoring the situation, having made contact with Hjulmand’s representatives in May to gauge his availability, though no significant progress has been reported since. Hjulmand is known to be a lifelong Arsenal supporter, with a tattoo of the club’s badge on his arm, potentially making a move to the Emirates Stadium particularly appealing.
Speaking after the announcement of the new Primeira Liga fixtures, Varandas confirmed Atletico’s interest but stressed that the transfer is not yet complete. He stated that Sporting rejected Atletico’s initial offer, deeming it below their valuation. “We’re talking about hypothetical scenarios,” Varandas said. “Hjulmand is still a Sporting player. We received an offer from Atletico Madrid, which we rejected. It’s a long way from the value we want. We have established a fair value, appropriate for his age, his position and the years he has spent at Sporting.” He added that both Hjulmand and his agents are aware of this valuation, and the player will remain at Sporting if it is not met.
This development offers Arsenal a potential route to sign a player who would bolster their midfield options, though they will need to act quickly to present a competitive offer to Sporting.
