Morten Hjulmand is on the verge of becoming one of the most high-profile transfers in the Portuguese summer market, having reached a preliminary agreement with Atlético de Madrid. The 27-year-old Danish midfielder, a key player in Sporting's setup, has taken a decisive step towards joining Diego Simeone's squad, but the deal is not yet finalized: the club has yet to convince the Sporting SAD, which has not received any formal offer from the Spanish club so far.
Sporting, led by Frederico Varandas, is fully aware of the movements surrounding Hjulmand, but remains firm in its position. The Lions are targeting a reference value between 40 and 50 million euros to release the Danish international, despite the player being protected by a release clause of 80 million euros. Atlético de Madrid has not yet formalized its intentions, meaning the matter now depends on the willingness of the Colchoneros to put forward an offer that meets Alvalade's demands.
This principle of agreement comes after a period in which Hjulmand established himself as the boss of the Sporting midfield, earning not only the trust of Rúben Amorim but also of the Sporting fans. Since August 2023, the number 42 shirt has become one of the team's pillars, with a contract valid until June 2028. However, market pressure and the interest from top clubs, such as Atlético de Madrid, make his continuity in Alvalade increasingly unlikely. Sporting now faces a dilemma: to retain their maestro or to capitalize on one of the biggest sales of the Varandas era.
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The importance of this potential transfer is colossal for both parties. For Sporting, Hjulmand's departure would require a complete rethink of the midfield and a significant investment of the funds raised in the challenging task of finding a worthy replacement. At a European level, this movement reinforces the idea that the Portuguese championship continues to be a breeding ground for desirable talents for the top leagues. For Atlético de Madrid, which aims to return to the fight for titles in Spain and the Champions League, the arrival of a midfielder with Hjulmand's physical, technical, and tactical profile could be a decisive asset for Simeone's paradigm.
Hjulmand himself has already shown total professionalism regarding the process. The midfielder received authorization from Sporting's management not to report for the start of pre-season training this Wednesday at the Alcochete Academy, a decision that highlights the advanced state of negotiations. Despite this, the player assured internally that if the process drags on, “he promises to enter Alcochete completely committed to starting pre-season.” This stance was confirmed by sources close to the athlete, who emphasized that Hjulmand “recognizes that Sporting has not failed him and remains calm while waiting to define his future.”
On the Sporting side, expectations are clear: only an offer that meets the established threshold will advance the deal. In the corridors of Alvalade, there is a belief that a sale in the range of 40 to 50 million euros could be decisive for targeting other players in the market and strengthening the squad for the upcoming season, especially with the return to the Champions League on the horizon.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Madrid. It is expected that Atlético will formalize their proposal and, should negotiations progress, the transfer could be finalized before the start of the new season. Otherwise, Hjulmand will report to Alcochete, ready to lead the Lions' midfield once again – at least until another bid from the colchoneros. The outcome of this dossier promises to shake up the summer transfer window in Portugal and dominate the national sports news.
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