Last-minute meetings and multimillion-euro proposals are stirring the corridors of Alvalade: Morten Hjulmand is increasingly close to leaving Sporting, in a transfer that promises to shake up the Portuguese market. Atlético de Madrid is preparing to make a new offer, this time very close to the €40 million demanded by the lions, after seeing an initial proposal of €35 million immediately rejected by the SAD led by Frederico Varandas.
The Madrid club, managed by Diego Simeone, does not hide its ambition to secure the 26-year-old Danish midfielder, a central figure for Sporting since his arrival from Lecce. Negotiations have intensified in recent days, with frequent contacts between the two clubs and the player’s representatives. Sporting, aware of the international interest in Hjulmand, has set a minimum fixed price of €40 million, including additional objectives and bonuses that could elevate the transaction to values that may far exceed this amount over the coming seasons.
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This Spanish offensive comes at a crucial stage of the transfer window for Sporting, as the club aims to definitively resolve the future of its captain before heading to pre-season training in the Algarve, scheduled for July 11. Hjulmand himself is eager to clarify his situation, as it concerns not only the sporting planning but also his immediate integration into the new project, should the transfer materialize. On Atlético’s side, the urgency is similar: Diego Simeone wants to have the midfielder available for the first training sessions of the season, acknowledging qualities that were lacking in the colchonero team during the 2023/24 season.
Hjulmand’s departure represents one of the most sensitive dossiers in the national market. Since arriving at Alvalade, the Danish international has quickly become a key player in the squad, standing out for his tactical intelligence, ball recovery ability, and personality both on and off the pitch. His influence in the dressing room and on the collective performance is undeniable, with many pointing to him as the heart of the Leonine midfield. Should his transfer be confirmed, Sporting will not only lose a player of undeniable quality but also one of its main leaders.
Faced with the real possibility of losing Hjulmand, Frederico Varandas has accelerated the reinforcement of the midfield, already securing the signings of Sergi Altimira, Doumbia, Silas Andersen, and Pedro Lima. This strategy aims to ensure depth and competitiveness in the midfield, preparing the club to respond immediately to the Danish player’s departure. The green and white structure believes that, even with the captain’s exit, the squad will still have solutions capable of maintaining the level of demand and ambition to tackle all fronts in the new season.
According to sources close to the process, the negotiating climate is currently positive, with both parties showing openness to reach an agreement. Atlético de Madrid acknowledges that Hjulmand fits the profile desired for Simeone’s midfield, while Sporting is only willing to proceed with the deal if all financial conditions are strictly respected. The coming hours will be decisive, with the expectation that the agreement could be finalized within this week.
The impact of this potential transfer will necessarily be profound for Sporting, which will lose its number 42 shirt, but could secure a historic financial gain, reinforcing the club’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier talent showcases. For Hjulmand, it represents a leap into one of the most competitive leagues on the Old Continent, where he will have the opportunity to establish himself at the highest level under Simeone’s guidance.
It remains to be seen whether Atlético will indeed meet the lions’ demands and if Hjulmand will bid farewell to Alvalade in the coming days. One thing is certain: the saga is entering its final stretch and promises to shake up the Portuguese market. The final decision could be known before the team departs for the Algarve, marking a new chapter in Sporting’s recent history and in national football.
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