Worry for Arsenal & Man United as Rodri injury could spoil their plans over £50m transfer



Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand has emerged as a potential transfer target to fill the gap left by the injured Rodri in the Manchester City midfield, in what could end up being a blow to other suitors like Arsenal and Manchester United.

Hjulmand is now looking like being one of the main options considered by Man City as they look to make up for the blow of possibly losing star player Rodri for the rest of the season, CaughtOffside understands.

Rodri has been a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s team and replacing him won’t be easy, but Hjulmand has been on the radar of top clubs for some time after impressing with Sporting and with the Danish national team.

CaughtOffside understands the 25-year-old has a release clause worth €80m at Sporting, but clubs such as City, Arsenal and United value him at closer to £50m and could try opening offers somewhere around that figure.

Hjulmand has heart set on Premier League transfer as City eye Rodri cover

Morten Hjulmand in action for Denmark (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Sources with a close understanding of the player’s situation have informed CaughtOffside that Hjulmand has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, which could influence his decision if a formal offer is made.

On top of interest from City, Arsenal and United, however, Hjulmand also has admirers from elsewhere in Europe, most notably from Barcelona.

It will be interesting to see how this saga plays out in the coming weeks, as Rodri’s injury could mean City majorly step up their efforts to land the Denmark international, whilst perhaps also forcing other suitors to up their game in terms of trying to win the race for his signature.


 

United in particular surely need to make changes in midfield after the poor form of players like Casemiro, while Scott McTominay left in the summer and Christian Eriksen is in the final year of his contract.

Arsenal, meanwhile, signed Mikel Merino in midfield this summer, though he’s yet to make his debut for the club due to injury, so Hjulmand could be another useful addition in the near future as Mikel Arteta probably won’t want to rely on ageing duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey for too much longer.