Arsenal could provide competition to Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer, according to Portuguese outlet Record (page 18).
The Gunners are poised to bolster their midfield department ahead of next season. Christian Norgaard looks a likely candidate to depart, and the club could prioritise a marquee signing.
Record today claim that Hjulmand has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Sporting CP this summer. The 27-year-old has a £69 million release clause in his contract, but can leave for £34-43 million.
Hjulmand has already said his goodbyes to his teammates and is simply waiting for a call to leave.
As of now, Atletico are best placed to sign the Denmark international, but Arsenal are tracking him closely too. Sporting CP have identified Real Betis’ Sergi Altimira as his replacement.
Hjulmand would be a proper upgrade on Norgaard
Norgaard was signed from Brentford last summer after multiple standout seasons. However, he played just 100 minutes in the Premier League under manager Mikel Arteta last term.
Arteta did not trust the Dane enough. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi had a heavy workload earlier this year after Mikel Merino’s injury, and that can’t be repeated next season.
With Rice managing neural hamstring pain over the last six months, Arsenal need another top-quality midfielder. Hjulmand would be a perfect acquisition for the English champions.
Hjulmand has proven himself on the big stage in the Champions League in recent years. He had a passing accuracy of 93 percent last term, while winning six duels and two tackles per game.
The former Lecce man also made six recoveries and two interceptions per outing. On top of this, he has exhibited a tireless work rate and superb positioning in the heart of Sporting CP’s midfield.
At £34m, he would be a big bargain, given current inflation in the transfer market. Convincing him won’t be an issue for the Gunners, considering he has a childhood dream of playing for the club.