Manchester United and Arsenal lead race for Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand | OneFootball

Manchester United and Arsenal have emerged as the two sides most strongly positioned to sign Morten Hjulmand, with fresh reports from Portugal placing both clubs firmly at the front of the queue.

United and Arsenal are keen on landing the Danish midfielder, who is a ‘complete player’ according to Bruno Fernandes.

Manchester City had briefly been considered a frontrunner due to sporting director Hugo Viana’s close relationship with the player from their time together at Sporting, and having identified Hjulmand as a potential alternative should they fail to win the race for Elliot Anderson.

Despite an official release clause of €80 million, it is now said there is an understanding in place allowing Hjulmand to leave for around €40 million, a transfer pathway that appears to have been quietly prepared for months.

One of the more intriguing details to emerge is that Hjulmand was already close to leaving Sporting in January, but reached an agreement with the club’s hierarchy to remain for the remainder of the season and depart in the summer.

For United, the rationale is straightforward. Midfield remains an area that requires both balance and authority, particularly after another campaign in which control in key moments has too often disappeared.

At 26, Hjulmand arrives with leadership experience and maturity. He is not necessarily at the top of United’s list of targets, but he is a player the club have explored seriously.

Arsenal’s interest is equally logical as the Gunners appear to be searching for midfield reinforcements.

They have recently been linked with West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, who is adept at playing multiple positions in the centre of the pitch.