7 months ago
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Morten Hjulmand has distanced himself from speculation of a possible move to Manchester United in the summer, insisting he is ‘very happy’ at Sporting and ‘feels at home’.
The 24-year-old swapped Serie A outfit Lecce for Sporting last August and has quickly settled into life in Portugal, establishing himself as one of the top midfielders in Primeira Liga football this season.
Though recognised as more of a defensive-minded midfielder, Hjulmand has racked up three goals and two assists to help the club secure top spot with just eight games remaining of the campaign.
Hjulmand was heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the January transfer window, despite only being midway through his debut season at Sporting, with the Red Devils reportedly offering Facundo Pellistri in exchange for the Denmark international.
United remain admirers of Hjulmand and reportedly ‘paying close attention to the player’s evolution’ ahead of a potential bid at the end of the season. La Liga giants Barcelona have also been credited with a strong interest in the Dane.
However, it’s clear Hjulmand remains fully focused on the task at hand at Sporting and has no immediate plans to up sticks and leave for Europe’s elite just yet.
‘Estadio Jose Alvalade is a very special place to play. I feel at home,’ he told Portuguese publication Betano.
Hjulmand had an idea of Sporting’s ‘importance’ before touching down in Lisbon and these beliefs were confirmed when he signed on the dotted line to become a part of Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.
‘I knew the importance of the club in Portugal, and also in Europe, as Sporting has played in the Champions League and the Europa League many times,’ Hjulmand added.
‘But it was after watching the first game, and after arriving here at the club, that I realised the importance of the club in Portugal.’
Asked whether he made the correct decision in joining Sporting, Hjulmand replied: ‘It was the right step and I’m very happy to be here.’
It’s understood Sporting plan to review Hjulmand’s salary and could offer the midfielder a role in their captaincy group – alongside the likes of Sebastian Coates, Luis Neto and Antonio Adan – to convince him to commit his long-term future to the club.
The former Lecce man’s current deal, which he signed when he arrived in Lisbon at the end of last summer, runs through to 2028.
Hjulmand has been capped five times by the Denmark national team and is expected to be a part of Kasper Hjulmand’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.
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