Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified Morten Hjulmand as a priority for Real Madrid. The Sporting CP captain is 26 and has 27 Primeira Liga appearances this season, with Mourinho’s case built more on consistency than noise. Sporting are said to want about €50 million (£43m), while Manchester United and Arsenal are also monitoring the midfielder.

Why Mourinho likes Hjulmand

The numbers help explain why Hjulmand keeps surfacing in this conversation. He has a 7.3 league rating across those 27 Primeira Liga appearances, a 7.06 rating in 10 UEFA Champions League matches and a 7.9 mark in his most recent league outing, which also included a goal.

That is a pretty solid profile for a player being linked with a Madrid rebuild. He does not come with the usual noise that trails some transfer targets, but the brief points to a midfielder who has been dependable domestically and steady in Europe.

Mourinho has also spoken about him in a way that suggests familiarity. Asked about the transfer market, Jose Mourinho said: "He has only learned Portuguese to be able to communicate with the referee."

Sporting’s position is still firm

Sporting CP are not acting like a club under pressure to sell. Hjulmand's contract in Lisbon runs through June 2028, and the reported fee, about €50 million (£43m), is still only a reported figure. There is no club confirmation that the price is fixed.

That matters because the transfer has not moved into the sort of territory where a bid settles everything. The sources in the brief only go as far as saying Mourinho has been involved in conversations and has asked Florentino Perez to sanction a deal. That is interest, not an agreement.

Sporting head coach Rui Borges put the market in blunt terms: "Regarding the transfer market, it's what happens every year. Some leave and others come in."

For now, Hjulmand looks like a target with a strong football case and a difficult deal attached to him. If Madrid do push, they will have to deal with Sporting’s contract leverage and the fact that Premier League competition is already there.

FAQ

Will Real Madrid sign Morten Hjulmand this summer?

Not yet. The brief says Mourinho has been involved in conversations and has asked Florentino Perez to sanction a deal, but Hjulmand’s future remains speculative. Sporting are still holding out, and Manchester United and Arsenal are also in the picture.

Why do Real Madrid want Morten Hjulmand?

The case is built on consistency. Hjulmand is 26, has 27 Primeira Liga appearances this season, and carries a 7.3 league rating. He has also posted a 7.06 rating in 10 Champions League appearances, which suggests his level holds up in Europe too.

How much would Morten Hjulmand cost?

Sporting are said to want about €50 million (£43m) for Hjulmand. His contract in Lisbon runs through June 2028, so Sporting are not under pressure to sell cheaply, and the fee has not been confirmed by the club.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →