Man City transfer news: Citizens enter 'eight-team race' for £69.4m midfielder as Man United trump card revealed

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: July 22 2025 | 09:38

Last updated: July 22 2025 | 09:59

Man City enter 'eight-team race' for Hjulmand, and they have an ace up their sleeve

Manchester City reportedly enter an eight-team race for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand, and the Sky Blues may have an ace up their sleeve that can help them pip Manchester United to his signature.

Manchester City are supposedly prepared to rival Manchester United for the capture of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand in the summer transfer window.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Red Devils were among seven teams with an active interest in the Denmark international, who had also attracted glances from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also rumoured to be monitoring the 26-year-old, who has established a reputation as one of the finest midfielders in the Primeira Liga.

Hjulmand has contributed seven goals and six assists from 96 games for Sporting in a deep-lying role, including three strikes and two helpers from 47 matches in the 2024-25 season.

The Denmark international also scored a memorable long-range screamer against England at Euro 2024 - his only goal for his nation so far - and a Premier League move has unsurprisingly been mooted for some time.

Man City 'learn demands' for Hjulmand after entering transfer race

According to A Bola, Man City are the latest team to throw their hat into the ring for the former Lecce midfielder, who is under contract at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for another three seasons.

Hjulmand's deal is understood to contain a release clause set at €80m (£69.4m), and Sporting - who are about to lose Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal - have no intention of letting him leave for less than that amount.

Italian giants Juventus are understood to have tried their luck with an offer in the region of €30m (£26m) and €40m (£34.7m) for the midfielder, but the Bianconeri were swiftly rebuffed by their Portuguese counterparts.

Man City have already bolstered their midfield ranks with the signings of Tijjani Reijnders and Sverre Nypan this summer, while Rodri is back to full fitness following his devastating ACL injury.

However, a spot could open up for Hjulmand to arrive if Kalvin Phillips leaves on loan or permanently, while 34-year-old Ilkay Gundogan is not a long-term option either, but he is expected to stay put for this summer at least.

Man City might have ace up their sleeve in Hjulmand transfer race

While Sporting are seemingly insistent that Hjulmand's clause must be met in full if they are to let him leave, Man City may have an ace up their sleeve in the shape of sporting director Hugo Viana.

The 42-year-old came through the youth system at Sporting before serving as their sporting director for seven years from 2018 to 2025; he was at the helm when the Green and Whites signed Hjulmand in 2023.

Viana has therefore already established a relationship with the Scandinavian's entourage, and his presence could help Man City jump to the head of the queue should they decide to make a move.

Whether Viana can sweet talk his former club is another question entirely, though, as Sporting are playing hardball with Arsenal over the terms of a deal for Viktor Gyokeres, whose move to the Emirates is being held up by a disagreement over the structure of add-ons.