of manchester city Midfield planning for the summer is already underway behind the scenes, with the club hoping to make at least one significant addition in that area.
There is growing uncertainty about Rodri's long-term availability, and City are looking for a profile capable of offering control, defensive structure and leadership in central areas. With this he has returned to Portugal.
Sporting CP has become a regular reference point for top European sides when searching for tactically mature midfielders. And over the past few seasons, one name has consistently stood out – captain Morten Hjulmand.
The city is keeping a close eye on them throughout the operation. Now, the situation seems to be shifting from simple interest to something more concrete.
Why is Hjulmand suitable for the city?
Morten Hjulmand's profile explains Manchester City's interest.
During the 2025/26 season, he has made 41 appearances, contributing 3 goals and 4 assists in all competitions, playing approximately 3,300 minutes.
More importantly, their underlying statistics highlight their role in controlling games.
FootyStats data shows that he averages approximately 2.8 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per 90 minutes, as well as approximately 6.6 ball recoveries per match. These statistics underline his defensive reliability.
In possession, he averages over 60 passes per game with over 85% accuracy, as well as approximately 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes. He is not a high-risk creator, but he keeps the structure intact and the pace consistent.
He also brings leadership. The captain of Hjulmand Sporting has been a central figure in their recent domestic success.
For City, that combination – tactical discipline, physical presence and leadership – fits the profile they are looking to add to the midfield.
City has started positioning for the deal
According to a recent report by ball In Portugal, Manchester City have already made informal contact regarding Morten Hjulmand, as they look to make a quick move in the market.
The Premier League champions are looking to overtake strong competition, including Juventus and Manchester United. Our recent coverage also includes armory And tottenham. But the idea is clear: position yourself in advance and be ready to act when the window opens.
And a key figure in this process is Hugo Viana, As mentioned earlier.
Now part of the city's fabric, Vienna is very well known to the Danish international. He was responsible for bringing the midfielder from Lecce to Sporting in 2023 in a deal worth around €19.5m (£16.8m).
That prior relationship gives City a significant advantage in understanding the circumstances surrounding the player and a potential transfer.
The two clubs also have a strong working relationship, which helps further City's position.
price range established
Morten Hjulmand is protected by a release clause worth €80m (£69m), but the realistic transfer price is expected to be lower.
Sporting is prepared to negotiate a deal in the region of €40m to €50m (£34m to £43m). This range is in line with previous signals from Portugal and reflects more market-driven valuations.
There is no pressure on the club to sell. However, he acknowledges that Hjulmand's cycle in Lisbon is reaching its natural conclusion. His professionalism and consistent performances over the last three seasons have given him the opportunity to progress further.
Internally, Sporting is already acting on that expectation.
Succession is already planning
Sporting had been preparing for Hjulmand's departure for some time, As we covered in February.
The club's scouting department has prioritized the search for a replacement defensive midfielder. The plan is to reinvest a portion of the transfer fee directly into a player capable of stepping into a starting role.
The profile being targeted is similar – physical presence, strategic maturity and leadership potential, combined with room for future growth and resale value.
This reflects how Sporting has handled past major departures, ensuring continuity even after losing influential players.
what happens next
There have been no formal talks yet, but the groundwork is clearly being prepared.
Manchester City has gathered information, established contacts and put itself ahead of the competition. Sporting, for their part, are preparing a sale which they now consider possible.
With a defined price cap, a known connection through Hugo Viana and strong interest from several top clubs, this situation is expected to develop rapidly once the transfer window opens.
For now, City are doing what they often do best – moving forward early, gaining control and trying to stay one step ahead.
