Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly leading the race to sign Sporting CP’s highly rated midfielder Morten Hjulmand, with several top Premier League clubs also chasing the talented Dane.
The 24-year-old has been one of the standout performers in Portugal this season, and his intelligence on and off the ball has drawn admiration from scouts across Europe.
Spurs are believed to have moved ahead of the competition as Thomas Frank seeks to strengthen his midfield options ahead of a busy second half of the campaign.
The call for Tottenham to refresh their midfield has grown louder following a string of lacklustre performances. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright recently highlighted the lack of creativity in Spurs’ midfield, especially after their goalless draw against AS Monaco in the Champions League and their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
In those games, the midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha struggled to move the ball forward with purpose. Against Monaco, they combined for 58 passes but only seven went forward, and against Villa, they managed just 15 forward passes from 79 attempts. That kind of stagnation in midfield has made Tottenham too predictable and disconnected from their attacking players.
The lack of creativity and progression through midfield has been a major issue, forcing Frank to consider changes or reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window.
According to a report from Record (via Sport Witness), Tottenham have now emerged as the frontrunners to sign Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP. The midfielder, who has impressed in both domestic and European competitions, has also caught the attention of Manchester United and Manchester City. However, Spurs have reportedly made significant progress in their pursuit and are now leading the race.
Sporting are prepared for offers when the January transfer window opens but are determined to hold firm on the €80 million (£70 million) release clause in Hjulmand’s contract.
With his current deal running until 2028, the Portuguese club are in a strong position and will not be forced to sell unless a serious offer arrives.
Still, Tottenham view Hjulmand as a potentially transformative signing, capable of giving their midfield more control, tempo, and penetration.
Hjulmand’s playing style perfectly fits the kind of midfielder Frank wants technically secure, calm under pressure, and intelligent in his positioning.
He is known for his progressive passing and ability to dictate the rhythm of a game, something Spurs have lacked in recent weeks. His stats from the past year speak volumes about his quality and consistency:
| Statistic | Average per 90 (Past Year) | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Passes Attempted | 62.70 | 87th |
| Pass Completion | 90% | 95th |
| Progressive Passes | 6.51 | 83rd |
These numbers show just how effective Hjulmand is at keeping possession while moving play forward traits that Tottenham’s current midfield has been missing.
He doesn’t just recycle possession; he uses it to open up attacking spaces, allowing creative players like Richarlison and Simons to get more involved higher up the pitch.
Beyond his passing ability, Hjulmand’s defensive intelligence is equally impressive. Scout Ben Mattinson praised him as “a defensively intelligent midfielder who reads the game to a high level.
He has great anticipation which allows him to read the opposition’s next attacking moves.” That awareness makes him more than just a deep-lying playmaker he’s also capable of intercepting passes, breaking up counterattacks, and shielding the backline effectively.
His all-round skill set was on full display in Sporting’s 2-1 defeat to Marseille in the Champions League earlier this month, where he earned a 7.6 SofaScore match rating the highest of any player on his team.
That performance showcased his ability to shine even against strong European opposition, underlining why Premier League clubs are so eager to bring him in.
For Thomas Frank, who has worked tirelessly to balance control and creativity in his side, Hjulmand could be the missing piece. His intelligence, precision, and tactical awareness would complement the energy of players like Bentancur and Sarr, offering Spurs more fluidity in their build-up play.
With Tottenham’s recent struggles to progress the ball from midfield, adding a pass-master like Hjulmand could completely transform how they operate in possession.
Whether Tottenham can afford to meet Sporting’s £70 million asking price remains uncertain, especially given the current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints.
But with Hjulmand’s combination of technical quality, defensive awareness, and leadership, it’s easy to see why the club view him as a long-term solution.
If Spurs can secure his signature, it would not only strengthen their midfield but also signal their growing intent to compete consistently at the top level. For now, Tottenham fans will be hoping their club can act swiftly to bring in a player who could finally bring balance, creativity, and control to the heart of their team.
