Informal talks: Man City step up interest in midfielder wanted by Man United

Manchester City have initiated informal talks with Sporting CP regarding the potential signing of their 26-year-old captain Morten Hjulmand, according to A Bola.

However, the Premier League giants are far from alone in their pursuit.

The Danish international’s commanding performances have also attracted serious, long-standing interest from both Manchester United and Serie A giants Juventus, setting the stage for a fiercely contested three-way bidding war.

Man City hold advantage in the race to sign the midfielder

Man City’s proactive approach is heavily driven by a familiar face in the boardroom.

City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, was the man responsible for originally bringing Hjulmand to Lisbon from Lecce in 2023, and he is reportedly eager to reunite with the midfielder at the Etihad Stadium.

From a tactical perspective, the move makes perfect sense for Pep Guardiola’s side.

As City evaluate the long-term structure of their engine room, bringing in a tactically intelligent, physically imposing player of Hjulmand’s caliber would provide crucial, top-tier cover for Rodri.

Financial details of the deal to sign Hjulmand

While Hjulmand’s current contract is protected by a staggering €80 million release clause, Sporting CP’s management is reportedly open to negotiating a more realistic compromise fee in the region of €40 million to €50 million (£34m-£42m).

This slightly lowered valuation keeps the door wide open for rival suitors.

Man United have tracked the 26-year-old extensively over the past year, having even lodged preliminary bids in previous windows and possess the undeniable financial muscle required to meet Sporting’s asking price as they look to continue their own midfield rebuild.

Meanwhile, Juventus remain desperate to bring the former Lecce man back to Italy to anchor their system.

However, the Turin club’s financial constraints mean they may struggle to match the Premier League’s spending power unless they first orchestrate major high-profile sales to balance the books.

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