- Manchester City make contact over key midfield target
- Familiar figure behind the scenes could influence the deal
- Competition is building ahead of a potential summer move
Manchester City have begun laying the groundwork for a potential midfield addition ahead of the summer transfer window.
Rodri’s uncertainty at the Etihad is already an open secret. The Spanish midfielder has been the subject of constant interest from Real Madrid.
While the Spaniard’s future isn’t set yet, another midfielder from the Etihad Stadium has been confirmed to be making a move this summer.
Portuguese international Bernardo Silva’s contract will expire at the end of the season. The 31-year-old has already told the club that he will leave in the summer.
With a midfielder departing and another’s future still under examination, the Sky Blues have decided to start making moves to prepare for the future.
Man City make first contact with Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand
As reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Man City have made informal contact with Sporting CP over Danish international Morten Hjulmand.
City are not alone in the race, making the move their first step to getting ahead of the competition. Both Juventus and Manchester United have also shown interest and are interested in signing the midfielder this summer.
Hjulmund’s contract runs until June 2028. The Danish midfielder also has a release clause in the contract, priced at approximately £70m.
However, Sporting’s management is willing to let go of their starlet for a lower valuation. This is because a 2026 sale will be the highest they can get on the player if an extension isn’t signed.
The range being reported is between £35m and £44m. On the other hand, the player’s market value sits right around the middle at £39m.
Man City sporting director to play an important role
City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, remains one of the most important people involved in the deal. It would help that Viana previously served as Sporting’s Director of Football before joining Man City.
It was under Viana that the Portuguese club signed Hjulmand from US Lecce in the 2023/24 season. The Lisbon-based outfit paid £17m for the 26-year-old, and they now look to make a big return on their investment.
Without a doubt, the Carabao Cup winners are probably in the best position to sign Hjulmand. At least when compared to the other clubs in the race.
A backup in Rodri’s presence?
Rodri’s future is uncertain, but that doesn’t mean that the Spaniard will certainly be making his leave this summer.
However, even if the Ballon d’Or winner stays, Pep Guardiola can’t overlook the dependence he’s built around his holding midfielder.
In the 2023/24 season, City did not lose a single game in which Rodri appeared. However, they did fumble in his absence as they could not maintain the unbeaten record.
Despite not being elite yet, the Dansman can serve as a cover for Rodri at the Etihad. Hjulmund has a duel won rate of 67 per cent, sitting in the top 97th percentile of all defensive midfielders in Liga Portugal.
He has also won 122 duels this season, ranking him in the 94th percentile. At just above six feet, Hjulmand is also a physical fit for the demands of the Premier League.
