Jose Mourinho, widely expected to be the next manager of Real Madrid, has reportedly identified Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand as a key transfer target, according to Cadena Cope. This comes despite previous links to Manchester City’s Rodri Hernandez as a potential midfield reinforcement for Los Blancos.
Mourinho is set to sign a two-year deal with Real Madrid, with an automatic one-year extension triggered by winning La Liga. He is expected to bring two assistant coaches from Benfica and has requested significant control over team selection and transfer policy. The pursuit of Hjulmand appears to be a direct result of this desired control.
Sporting CP are expected to demand a fee of around €50 million for the 26-year-old Danish international. Hjulmand currently has two years remaining on his contract with the Portuguese club, a situation that typically prompts either contract renewal discussions or consideration of external offers. He has previously been linked with moves to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Hjulmand joined Sporting CP in 2023 from Lecce for a fee of €19.5 million, having begun his professional career with FC Copenhagen. He spent time in the youth systems of both Copenhagen and Admira Wacker, before a €2.5 million move to Italy’s Serie A. Since becoming a regular starter for Sporting, he has earned 27 caps for the Danish national team.
Over the past three seasons, Hjulmand has established himself as a pivotal player for Sporting, eventually becoming the team’s captain. Reports suggest that Real Madrid’s dressing room may be lacking leadership, and Hjulmand’s presence could address this perceived issue. His arrival would likely provide competition and depth in midfield for the Spanish giants.
