Atlético de Madrid Target Hjulmand in €40M Transfer After Sporting Rejection

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has rejected a transfer offer from Atlético de Madrid for midfielder Morten Hjulmand, stating the bid was far below the club’s established valuation. While Goal.com reports that Atlético de Madrid reached an agreement with Hjulmand for €40 million, the Portuguese club continues to block the move based on the financial terms provided by the Spanish side.

The standoff between the two clubs highlights a gap in valuation for the midfielder. According to RTP, Varandas explicitly stated that the offer from Atlético de Madrid was far from the established value required for the player to leave the Lisbon-based club.

Why is Atlético de Madrid pursuing Morten Hjulmand?

Atlético de Madrid is seeking to reshape its midfield, a process that has seen the club move away from other targets. Goal.com reports that the Spanish club abandoned its pursuit of João Gomes following a disagreement with agent Jorge Mendes. This friction shifted the club’s focus toward Hjulmand, with whom they have reportedly already settled terms.

The interest from Spain comes as Hjulmand has established himself as a component of Sporting’s tactical setup. However, the pursuit has created tension within the Portuguese sporting community. Now Canal reports that some voices have suggested Hjulmand must be grateful for what Sporting did for him, signaling a desire for the player to remain loyal to the club.

What are the financial details of the Hjulmand transfer saga?

There is a discrepancy in how the financial aspects of the deal are being reported across different outlets. Goal.com cites a figure of €40 million in relation to the agreement between the player and Atlético de Madrid. Conversely, A Bola and Record report that Sporting is holding a firm line on a valuation, leading to the rejection of the current bid.

This valuation gap is the primary obstacle to a transfer. While Atlético has secured the player’s willingness to move, Varandas remains the deciding factor in whether the deal proceeds. The president’s refusal to budge on the price suggests Sporting views Hjulmand as an asset unless a premium fee is paid.

Which other players are involved in the current market movement?

The transfer activity surrounding Sporting extends beyond the Hjulmand situation. Record reports that Turkish club Trabzonspor is currently monitoring the situation of Prestianni, indicating that multiple positions in the Sporting squad are attracting international interest as the market shifts.

The contrast between the Hjulmand and João Gomes situations illustrates Atlético de Madrid’s current volatility in the market. While the club was able to find common ground with Hjulmand personally, the collapse of the Gomes deal due to agent disputes has left them reliant on a breakthrough with Varandas to secure their midfield reinforcement.

Sporting CP continues to operate from a position of strength, utilizing firm presidential mandates to prevent the departure of key starters.