Manchester City still considering signing – Hugo Viana knows him very well

Manchester City are still weighing up a summer move for Sporting Club de Portugal midfielder Morten Hjulmand, with Hugo Viana a big advocate of the player.

And they’ve been offered an opening too, with Juventus withdrawing from the race and opening up a clear path to the 26-year-old.

Juventus step aside, clearing way for the Premier League

A Bola report that Juventus had tracked Hjulmand closely, especially after his dominant Champions League display in Turin. His leadership, tactical intelligence and physical presence made him a standout target.

But those same leadership qualities created an issue. With Manuel Locatelli serving as captain and central figure in midfield, Juve feared a status conflict and have now crossed Hjulmand off their list. They intend to spend their money elsewhere.

That decision has shifted the spotlight firmly onto England instead.

Manchester City suddenly at the front of the queue

City’s interest in the midfielder is driven by a familiar figure, sporting director Hugo Viana. He is the man who originally brought Hjulmand to Sporting from Lecce.

Few executives in Europe know the Dane’s profile, mentality and development curve as well as he does.

With Manchester City continuing to develop their midfield, and with Rodri’s workload a constant concern, Hjulmand fits the club’s recruitment model perfectly. Internally there is a feeling that he is a ‘plug and play’ Guardiola style midfielder.

Premier League competition

Manchester United and Tottenham have also been linked, with the latter’s interest coming from a recommendation by Thomas Frank.

But Viana’s presence at the Etihad could give them an advantage. He has an existing knowledge of Hjulman, and, crucially, an existing relationship as well. That could help them to move faster and more decisively than their rivals.

€80m clause, €50m agreement

Hjulmand’s current contract includes an €80m release clause but Sporting have a gentleman’s agreement to sanction a sale for around €50m.

Approaches have already been made and inside Alvalade the expectation is that their captain will leave at some point this summer.

The €50m price tag is unlikely to be problematic given they’ve spent similar sums on midfielders over the last year.

With Juventus out of the picture, they have a clear runway to the midfielder. If Hugo Viana pushes the button, they could secure themselves a ready-made leader. And, even, perhaps a long-term successor to Rodri as well.