Atletico Madrid agree €40m deal for Sporting's Morten Hjulmand
The Danish midfielder is set to become Diego Simeone's first major summer signing after failed pursuits of other targets.
La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are closing in on the signature of Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, with a deal reportedly worth between €35m and €40m now agreed between the two clubs. The 27-year-old Denmark international has been a key figure in Sporting’s recent domestic success and is seen as an ideal fit for Diego Simeone’s high-energy system.
The move comes after Atletico were forced to abandon attempts to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes and explore a free transfer for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva. Both pursuits ultimately collapsed, leaving the club to move further down their list of targets. Hjulmand’s all-action style and leadership qualities made him the preferred alternative, and negotiations accelerated over the past week.
Failed Brazilian deals open door for Dane
Atletico’s interest in Gomes, a Brazilian midfielder currently at Wolves, never progressed beyond exploratory talks, while the prospect of landing Silva on a free transfer proved unrealistic given the player’s contract situation at the Etihad. With their midfield rebuild a priority, Simeone’s recruitment team turned to the Portuguese league, where Hjulmand had impressed scouts with his relentless pressing and ability to break up play.
The Danish midfielder’s arrival is expected to add steel and mobility to the centre of the park. He has been a consistent performer for Sporting since joining from Lecce in 2023, helping the Lisbon side secure silverware and Champions League qualification. Atletico hope he can replicate that form in Spain and become a mainstay in the engine room alongside established figures such as Koke and Rodrigo De Paul.
Kang-in Lee also on Atletico’s radar
Atletico are not stopping with Hjulmand. Reports indicate that the club is also close to finalising a deal for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kang-in Lee, with a similar fee structure expected. The South Korean international would provide width and creativity in the final third, areas Simeone has identified for reinforcement after a mixed campaign in front of goal.
Kang-in Lee’s potential move to the Spanish capital would represent another significant addition to a squad that is being reshaped for a renewed push in La Liga and the Champions League. The 23-year-old has struggled for consistent minutes at PSG but has shown flashes of brilliance when given the opportunity.
Should both deals go through, Atletico will have invested close to €80m in two key areas, signalling a clear intent to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for domestic honours and make a deeper run in Europe. The club’s summer window is taking shape rapidly, and supporters can expect further activity before the transfer deadline.