Since January this year, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have been named as potential destinations for Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
With the Lions having a very positive season which resulted in the league title, the Danish player stood out and both United and Spurs were said to be interested in him.
Portuguese newspaper Record today features a front page with Hjulmand, plus a six-page interview with him, and had some specific questions about his future.
They give a special mention to the links with Manchester United, Tottenham and Barcelona, and asked the player if he can promise Sporting fans he’ll stay.
“I haven’t thought about it. There are rumours all the time about different players, coaches and clubs. It’s normal,” he said.
“It’s not something a player should waste energy or time on. We need to have our minds focused elsewhere: here, on our day-to-day lives, when we have so many games to play.”
“I can say that this time at Sporting has been incredible. I really enjoy coming to train every day, I like living in Portugal and I still have a long-term contract with Sporting. Of course I want to stay at the club!”
Hjulmand was then asked about a dream of playing in the Premier League that he had previously revealed.
“Maybe one day it will be the right time to go to the Premier League… But I’m very happy where I am now and with my life at Sporting,” he added.
It was last summer that Sporting signed Hjulmand from Lecce for €19.5m. He’s now valued by Transfermarkt at €30m, but it would be no surprise if Sporting demand a lot more, given that he has a €80m release clause.
It’s always worth recalling that the player is an Arsenal fan and has a Gunners’ tattoo, so it’d be quite weird seeing him joining Manchester United or especially Tottenham with that.
