Ruben Amorim has reportedly been trying to secure a transfer behind-the-scenes while the player’s agents are pushing for a lower price.
With Bryan Mbeumo now officially signed, Manchester United have turned their attention to reinforcing two priority positions: centre-forward and central midfield.
Ruben Amorim will be buoyed by the arrivals of Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha – two attacking additions expected to bring renewed energy and sharpen United’s attacking edge.
Nonetheless, the club remains firmly in the market for a natural number nine and a dynamic, high-intensity midfielder; both viewed as integral to Amorim’s tactical blueprint at Old Trafford.
Although further signings may depend on outgoings, United continue to track their top targets closely as they await a possible injection of transfer funds.
Amorim ‘has been attempting’ behind-the-scenes United transfer
Morten Hjulmand has been regularly linked in recent weeks as a potential option for the Reds this summer and there has been new information on the Sporting captain.
Duncan Castles has explained on his podcast that Amorim has been attempting to bring in Hjulmand behind-the-scenes this summer to strengthen his midfield and that the United boss ‘rates him so highly’ as a player.
It was further explained that the deal would be ‘difficult’ for United to complete even though Hjulmand would like to move to the Premier League.
While the Danish midfielder’s agents are pushing Sporting to allow their client to leave the club for around £43 million this summer, the Portuguese club have no financial need to sell him.
The reporter said that Amorim’s former side have referred all suitors to the £69 million release clause in Hjulmand’s contract and United do not have the cash to spend that amount on him.
Hjulmand deal more realistic next summer
It is clear that this would be a difficult transfer for the reasons explained above but the fact that Hjulmand’s representatives are pushing for a move at a lower price suggests that there is a small chance of there being a compromise.
United and Sporting have a good relationship and the Portuguese club would have also appreciated how Amorim refused to try and sign any of their players in the previous January window.
Should a price not be agreed upon this summer, it does also seem like a deal that United may revisit next year and it would likely be much more likely to be struck.
In the meantime, though, United still need to strengthen in midfield this summer but any deal will likely have to wait until towards the end of the window.
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