Juventus have set their sights firmly on Morten Hjulmand as their number one target for the midfield. The Danish playmaker, well known in Italy for his time at Lecce from 2021 to 2024, has become a key figure at Sporting in Portugal over the past two seasons. La Gazzetta dello Sport report (as quoted by ilbianconero) that Hjulmand’s technical skills and vision on the pitch have placed him at the top of Juventus coach Igor Tudor’s wish list—Tudor has admired the midfielder since his coaching stint at Marseille and now sees him as the perfect addition to strengthen Juventus’ central line.
Transfer Challenges: High Costs and Negotiation Tactics
The main hurdle for Juventus is the hefty price tag. Hjulmand’s release clause stands at €80 million, and although Sporting might be willing to lower their demands, the final asking price is expected to remain steep. Securing Hjulmand will require not only significant funds but also strategic negotiation, as Juventus hopes the player’s positive view on a return to Italy could tip the scales in their favour.
Key Players in the Deal: Douglas Luiz and Arthur
To facilitate the move and manage financial constraints, Juventus is preparing to offload current midfielders. Douglas Luiz tops the list of possible departures; after missing the team’s preseason, he is set to be fined and eventually sold, with a Premier League return viewed as an option. Juventus hopes to generate €40 million from his sale, but another scenario being considered is including Luiz’s transfer directly in a deal with Sporting to lower Hjulmand’s cost.
Arthur, another excess midfielder, also features in potential trade plans. The Brazilian, previously of Barcelona, is of interest not only to Sporting as part of the Hjulmand negotiations but also to Spanish side Betis.
Fixing Relations with Sporting
The pursuit of Hjulmand comes with an added diplomatic challenge. Juventus must mend its relationship with Sporting following a recent transfer saga involving Alberto Costa, where late negotiations saw the player move to rivals Porto instead. This incident disrupted the channels between the two clubs, but Juventus is now actively working to restore a positive dialogue.
What’s Next: New Talks Expected
In the coming days, Juventus’ management, led by Comolli, is expected to resume direct talks with Sporting. The Portuguese club values Hjulmand at around €60 million, a figure still considered high by Juventus. The Italian side hopes that by including player exchanges and leveraging Hjulmand’s desire for a move, an agreement can be reached that benefits all parties.
