Manchester United could be rivalled by Manchester City for £69m target after £35m bid rejected
The Manchester clubs are not yet done with their summer transfer business
It has been a summer of change in Manchester. After both the city’s powerhouse clubs endured a well below-par 2024/25 season, rapid improvement are demanded.
Manchester United finished 15th in the league last campaign with one of the lowest-scoring strike forces in the division. They have responded by showing major intent in the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom are established Premier League goal scorers who could make a huge difference.
Over in the blue half of the city, Manchester City dropped off massively from their usual title dominance and barely clung onto a Champions League spot. The likes of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri have arrived as reinforcements, while Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker have departed with a heavy heart to indicate a new start for the club. City may now compete with their local rivals for a transfer target as both sides look to strengthen further.
Man City may rival Man United for Morten Hjulmand
It was recently reported that United hold an interest in Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who shone for the Portuguese giants during Ruben Amorim’s time at the club and may be viewed as the answer to the Red Devils’ holding midfield problem. The 26-year-old reportedly has an €80million (£69m) release clause in his contract.
Fresh reports by A Bola in Portugal now indicate that United are not the only Manchester club tracking Hjulmand, as rivals Man City are said to be an “admirer” of the Danish midfielder. The report states that this may be due to City’s link with Sporting through director of football Hugo Viana, who left Sporting in February to join the Premier League giants. Viana is believed to remain a fan of Hjulmand, though the report does not state whether the Citizens are likely to make a bid for the midfielder. Sporting, per the report, do not want to sell him for less than his release clause.
Juventus attempted to sign the player for a package worth £26m to £35m but saw that approach firmly rebuffed.
Hjulmand to make Manchester move?
Whether either Manchester club are set to show concrete interest in Hjulmand is not yet known. At present, it feels as though other matters will need to fall into place in order for a big-money move to go ahead.
In the case of United, they will most likely only be able to afford Hjulmand if sales are made. While getting Marcus Rashford off the wage bill is a good start, their reported acceptance of a loan move to Barcelona does not set a good precedent for the futures of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, all of whom they will hope to sell on a permanent deal.
Strengthening in defensive midfield is a plan for the Red Devils before the window closes.
As for Pep Guardiola’s City, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has returned from injury and will essentially be like a new signing next season. If his reintroduction to first-team football continues to go as planned, it is difficult to see where Hjulmand would fit in amongst other midfielders such as Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez and Ilkay Gundogan. But if sales are made of the likes of Jack Grealish and James McAtee, City may decide to invest in further arrivals.
Other clubs to show interest in Hjulmand include Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Barcelona, meaning there could be a battle for the Sporting midfielder’s signature this summer.