Juventus move closer to signing Sporting player

Juventus are edging nearer to completing a high-profile signing of Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, after the Danish international reportedly gave his approval to join the Italian giants.

Hjulmand has agreed to personal terms with Juventus, turning down interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old has become a top priority for manager Igor Tudor, who sees him as the ideal midfield anchor to lead the Bianconeri into a new era.

Despite this major step forward, negotiations between Juventus and Sporting remain delicate. The main obstacle is the midfielder’s €80 million release clause.

However, Sporting are reportedly open to talks and may accept a fee between €50–60 million, especially as Juventus prepare to send full-back Alberto Costa in the opposite direction as part of a deal.

Hjulmand is not just another name on the shortlist. Juventus have made it clear he is their number one midfield target, ahead of others like Yves Bissouma and Wolves’ Andre.

The club views him as a long-term solution to control games from deep, providing tactical balance and leadership.

His agents are said to be pushing for a lower price tag between €30–40 million, arguing that the release clause was only enforceable under former coach Ruben Amorim, who has since joined Manchester United.

Morten Hjulmand has become one of the standout midfielders in Portugal since joining Sporting CP from Lecce in 2023.

In just two seasons, he has made 96 appearances and earned back-to-back selections in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season, playing a central role in Sporting’s domestic double last year.

Although he operates as a defensive midfielder, Hjulmand is more than just a ball-winner he acts as a deep lying playmaker who controls space, tempo, and transitions with intelligence and precision.

He is known for his excellent body positioning under pressure, sharp short-passing accuracy, and high duel success rate, ranking in the 93rd percentile in that area.

His tactical discipline and leadership qualities have also stood out, making him a natural anchor in midfield.

However, his contributions in the final third are limited he rarely scores or provides assists and he struggles in aerial battles, winning fewer than 25% of his headers.

Despite those weaknesses, Juventus believe his ability to bring balance and stability makes him a perfect fit for Igor Tudor’s system.