Agent of Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand speaks out as Manchester City linked with transfer talks

Agent of Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand speaks out as Manchester City linked with transfer talks

• Morten Hjulmand’s agent has confirmed an agreement with Sporting is expected “at some point,” as transfer interest intensifies.
• Man City’s pursuit is bolstered by former Sporting chief and now Etihad director Hugo Viana.
• The Danish captain is reportedly available for around €40 million.

Manchester City’s reported pursuit of Morten Hjulmand has continued to spiral into more unpredictability after his agent signalled to Portuguese media that an agreement will be met, without stating a specific club.

The Premier League side have watched Hjulmand’s progress over the last 12 months at least, and were reportedly interested last summer when Sporting CP asked for a fee of around €80 million.

However, Hugo Viana led a successful window which featured other signings including Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri, with Pep Guardiola since adding Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo to his squad among others.

Morten Hjulmand’s talent has drawn attention from across Europe and he remains firmly on Manchester City’s radar, while rivals Manchester United were reported in one claim to be ahead of the Citizens in the race.

Hjulmand’s agent comments on transfer reports

Now, Morten Hjulmand’s agent, Ivan Marko Benes has publicly addressed the midfielder’s future after previously speaking after Sporting’s UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal, where the midfielder was on display.

Speaking to Record, with comments relayed and translated by Sport Witness he said, “I cannot comment on any agreement. It is in Sporting’s hands. They are good people. I am sure that at some point we will reach an agreement.”

Benes was also asked about Hjulmand’s rumoured move to England but was careful in his response, stating that he “doesn’t know how to answer that”.

There is certainly an expectation for Morten Hjulmand to make the jump to the Premier League to follow a similar path to his former teammate Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal in July last year.

That being said, Benes made a point of highlighting Hjulmand’s special connection with Sporting. “Everyone knows he loves the club, the city and Portugal. It has been fantastic for him,” he continued.

Could Man City have a crucial advantage for Hjulmand?

For Manchester City, the situation remains one that puts them into a great position, given they are simply one of the best-placed clubs through Hugo Viana’s early contact and internal knowledge, and not least because of the affordability.

His aforementioned price tag of €80 million last summer has effectively halved in just under 12 months, now believed to be valued at around €40 million – the same price that Manchester City signed Rayan Cherki for from French outfit Lyon.

Though it may be hard to see a conclusion to the race at present, especially considering the fact there is still no indication of advanced negotiations with any club, Morten Hjulmand’s agents underline the process will be controlled by Sporting and decided later in the window.