Man City suffer setback in transfer race for Morten Hjulmand as La Liga club emerge as new frontrunners | OneFootball

Manchester City have met with a setback in their plans to sign Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand this summer, as per a recent report.

The 27-year-old’s move to Sporting Lisbon from Italian side Unione Sportiva Lecce in 2023 was overseen by Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana during his tenure in the same capacity at the Liga Portugal club.

Hjulmand has turned heads with his impressive performances for Sporting CP, registering three goals and six assists in 45 appearances across competitions last term.

While the Danish star has emerged as a top transfer target for several clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, City have been speculated to be his next destination for the upcoming season, especially given his long-standing relationship with Viana.

However, it appears Manchester City may have lost their top spot in this transfer race as Atletico Madrid emerge as the leading contenders to secure Hjulmand’s services this summer.

Report: Atletico Madrid reach ‘preliminary agreement’ with Man City transfer target Morten Hjulmand

In April, Hjulmand’s agent Ivan Marko Benes addressed the growing speculation over the midfielder’s club future in an interview with newspaper Record, hinting that Sporting would sanction a departure in the summer.

“I cannot comment on any agreement. It is in Sporting’s hands. They are good people. I am sure that at some point we will reach an agreement,” said Benes.

Now, according to new report by Portuguese newspaper A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Atletico Madrid and Hjulmand have reached a ‘preliminary agreement’ over a possible move this summer.

With a principle agreement reportedly in place, the Spanish giants are now expected to take the next steps and initiate formal negotiations with Sporting CP to acquire the midfielder’s signature.

While the aforementioned report suggests that Diego Simeone’s side have an edge over other interested clubs in this transfer race, City are expected to still be in the running, especially until the Rojiblancos strike a deal with the Portuguese club.

Are Sporting CP open to parting ways with Morten Hjulmand?

Hjulmand arrived in Lisbon on a five-year contract for an initial fee of €18 million in August 2023 and went on to inherit the captain’s armband from Sebastian Coates in 2024. He has since made 141 appearances for Sporting CP, netting 10 goals and 12 assists.

While his official release clause is set at €80 million, the midfielder reportedly has an agreement with the club that allows him to depart for a fee between €40-50 million.

With two more years left on his current contract at Sporting CP, it remains to be seen what’s next for Hjulmand, with the 2026-27 campaign set to begin in August.