Manchester United's hopes of landing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand in January have suffered a setback. Football insider Fabrizio Romano reports that Sporting has no intention of selling the Danish international in the upcoming transfer window.
Hjulmand's High Price Tag & Sporting's Stance
Hjulmand, who has an €80 million release clause, is a key player for the Portuguese club. Sporting Lisbon aims to retain his services until at least the end of the current season. While a summer transfer might be possible, a January move appears highly unlikely.
Juventus, like Manchester United, are also reportedly interested in signing Hjulmand. However, Romano insists that Sporting will reject any offers for their star midfielder.
Hjulmand's Impact at Sporting
Since joining Sporting Lisbon in 2023, Hjulmand has been instrumental for the team, even captaining them to the league title last season. His performances have garnered significant attention, including from Manchester United, who were previously in the market for a midfielder. Former head coach Ruben Amorim has even described Hjulmand as more complete than Sporting predecessors Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte.
Man Utd explored signing Hjulmand earlier, but a deal proved difficult. Now, with United seemingly reviving their interest, they face a tough battle to secure his signature.
Hjulmand himself has remained tight-lipped about the transfer rumours, stating he doesn't react to speculation. For now, he is focused on his duties with Sporting Lisbon and the Danish national team.