Juventus have taken a major step forward in their pursuit of Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, with the Danish international giving the green light for a transfer to Turin.
However, talks remain delicate due to a high release clause and Sporting’s firm valuation.
Morten Hjulmand Transfer: Juventus Priority Signing This Summer
As confirmed by Corriere dello Sport and Giovanni Albanese, Hjulmand has agreed personal terms with Juventus, turning down offers from Manchester United and Tottenham in the process.
The Bianconeri see the 26-year-old as the ideal midfield anchor for new manager Igor Tudor, and he’s now their top target ahead of names like Yves Bissouma and Wolves’ Andre.
While Juventus are working on player sales to raise funds, a breakthrough could come soon – especially with full-back Alberto Costa expected to move to Sporting. The two clubs have a strong working relationship, which could prove crucial in accelerating talks.
The main stumbling block? Hjulmand’s €80 million release clause. Sporting are believed to be open to negotiating below that figure, with discussions focused around a €50–60 million deal.
The midfielder’s agents are reportedly pushing for a lower price in the €30–40m range, arguing that the clause was only active under former coach Ruben Amorim, now at Manchester United.
Hjulmand Player Profile
Hjulmand has earned back-to-back inclusions in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season and played a vital role in Sporting’s domestic double last year. He’s made 96 appearances for the club since joining from Lecce in 2023.
Technically refined and tactically intelligent, Hjulmand plays as a defensive midfielder but functions more like a positional conductor, controlling space, tempo, and transitions. His standout strengths include:
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Body orientation under pressure
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Accurate short passing
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High duel win rate (93rd percentile)
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Tactical discipline and leadership
Despite his defensive brilliance, Hjulmand doesn’t offer much in terms of goals or final-third creativity. He also struggles aerially, winning less than 25% of his headers.
Still, Juventus is convinced he’s the kind of stabilizing force they need. Tudor has personally endorsed the move, eager to build a more balanced and reliable midfield for the 2025–26 campaign.
Can Juventus Afford Hjulmand?
Juve’s summer rebuild is well underway. Permanent deals for Michele Di Gregorio, Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly, and Nicolas Gonzalez have already been completed.
Meanwhile, the club is exploring sales of Dusan Vlahovic, Timothy Weah, and Samuel Mbangula to fund further business, while Douglas Luiz’ future is in doubt.
The Jadon Sancho transfer is nearing completion, while Marcus Rashford remains on Juve’s shortlist. However, it’s clear that midfield remains the priority, and Hjulmand’s arrival could define the next phase of the club’s rebuild.
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