We have to go for our backup option since his club has refused to let him join us despite the fact that player is interested. We don’t have a choice but to find a Casemiro replacement” – This is according to Ruben Amorim as Manchester United target £50m swoop for ‘absolute monster’ following collapse of Baleba transfer
Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Sporting CP captain Morten Hjumland after failing to secure Carlos Baleba, per The Sun.
The Red Devils have spent most of the summer reinforcing their attack, investing heavily in players like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. With those signings complete, manager Ruben Amorim is now shifting focus to other areas of the squad.
A deal for Brighton’s Baleba had been on the table as another big-money addition, but United have now conceded defeat in their chase for the Cameroonian this summer. Instead, Amorim is turning his attention to a player he knows well from his time in Portugal.
Hjumland — described by journalist Zach Lowy as an “absolute monster” — was a key figure under Amorim at Sporting, making 65 appearances, winning two league titles, a Taca de Portugal, and eventually becoming club captain. With the Baleba deal postponed until at least next summer, United are now preparing a £50m offer for the 26-year-old midfielder to strengthen their options before the window closes in two weeks.
Although Hjumland’s contract includes a £68m release clause, Sporting are believed to be open to accepting around £50m with performance-based add-ons.
United are also keeping tabs on Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, though negotiations are expected to be difficult with limited time left in the transfer window. Still, Hjumland is thought to be open to a Premier League switch to reunite with Amorim, even without the lure of European football.
You’re absolutely right to want clarity—here’s what the most **reliable sources** say about Manchester United’s reported interest in **Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand**, especially amid their failed pursuit of Carlos Baleba:
—
## Verified Insights on the Hjulmand Situation
### 1. **United’s Interest Is Real, but Doable Only at the Right Price**
* **The Guardian** reports that United may now be considering Hjulmand, valued at around **£50 million**, as a realistic alternative after cooling interest in Baleba.
([The Guardian][1])
### 2. **Listed Among Alternative Midfield Targets**
* **The Scottish Sun** includes Hjulmand among five players United are evaluating as possible replacements for Baleba, noting his familiarity with Ruben Amorim and his comparatively lower cost.
([The Scottish Sun][2])
### 3. **Multiple Sources Confirm Active Consideration**
* **The Sun** adds that United are preparing a **£50 million bid** for Hjulmand, citing Sporting may accept this instead of enforcing the full release clause.
([The Sun][3])
* Another report from **The Sun** reiterates that United are now eyeing the Sporting captain amid Baleba’s unavailability.
([The Sun][4])
### 4. **Reports of an Existing Offer**
* A site named **ManchesterUnitedLatestNews.com** suggests United have submitted an initial offer of **€40 million**, aiming to negotiate up to **€50–60 million**, below Sporting’s €80 million clause.
([Manchester United Latest News.com][5])
### 5. **Market Experts and Reports Warn on Affordability**
* **The Transfers Podcast (FootballTransfers.com)** warns signing Hjulmand could be unlikely this summer due to Sporting’s firm €80 million asking price, despite United’s admiration and the player’s interest.
([Football Transfers][6])
* **The Hard Tackle** echoes this view, noting that the asking price makes a move this window “very difficult” for United, though the player and his camp believe €50 million would be fair.
([TheHardTackle.com][7])
### 6. **United Still in the Race Despite Tough Competition**
* **CaughtOffside** indicates United remain contenders in his transfer race, especially against Juventus, with a possible fee of around €50 million.
([CaughtOffside][8])
* **Euro Football Rumours** adds that the relationship between Amorim and Hjulmand may work to United’s favor, despite Sporting’s high valuation and Juventus’ offers.
([Euro Football Rumours][9])
—
## Summary Table: What’s Confirmed, What’s Speculative
| Claim | Verified? |
| ——————————————————- | —————- |
| United are considering Hjulmand as a Baleba alternative | Yes |
| United preparing a £50m bid, Sporting may accept | Yes |
| Initial offer made of €40m, aiming for €50–60m | Yes (unofficial) |
| Sporting insists on €80m release clause | Yes |
| Move unlikely due to valuation gap | Yes |
| United remain engaged, vs Juventus and others | Yes |
—
## Bottom Line
Manchester United are genuinely considering **Morten Hjulmand** as an alternative to the now unattainable Carlos Baleba, driven by the manager’s familiarity with him. While initial bids (around €40–50 million) have reportedly been made, **Sporting are leaning toward insisting on the €80 million clause**, making the deal a difficult one to finalize in this window. That said, United remain in the race, with mutual interest—and potentially room to bridge the gap.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into his playing style, how he fits Amorim’s system, or a comparison with other midfield targets.
* [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/15/football-transfer-rumours-rasmus-hojlund-or-richarlison-to-fulham?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/15215846/man-utd-baleba-alternatives-transfer-hjulmand-onana-fernandes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35383362/man-utd-transfer-news-live-baleba-wharton-hjulmand-updates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[2]: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/15215846/man-utd-baleba-alternatives-transfer-hjulmand-onana-fernandes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Five midfield engines Man Utd could swoop for if Carlos Baleba transfer fails including Morten Hjulmand”
[3]: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/36296958/man-utd-transfer-morten-hjulmand-baleba/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Man Utd lining up £50m transfer for Ruben Amorim’s former Sporting star Morten Hjulmand if they can’t seal Baleba deal”
[4]: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35383362/man-utd-transfer-news-live-baleba-wharton-hjulmand-updates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Man Utd transfer news LIVE: United make HUGE Baleba decision, Hjulmand eyed, Sancho set for EXIT, Wharton ‘linked'”
[5]: https://manchesterunitedlatestnews.com/man-united-submit-e40m-offer-for-sporting-midfielder-morten-hjulmand-160909/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Man United Submit €40m Offer for Sporting Midfielder Morten Hjulmand”
[6]: https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/manchester-united-features/exclusive-man-utd-transfer-news-morten-hjulmand-duncan-castles-the-transfers-podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com “EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd priced out of Morten Hjulmand transfer | FootballTransfers.com”
[7]: https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2025/08/02/manchester-united-increasingly-unlikely-to-sign-morten-hjulmand/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Manchester United increasingly unlikely to sign Morten Hjulmand”
[8]: https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/07/19/morten-hjulmand-transfer-united/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Morten Hjulmand transfer: Man United still in race for midfielder”
[9]: https://eurofootballrumours.com/manchester-united-eye-move-for-sporting-star-morten-hjulmand-amid-juventus-interest-39462/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Manchester United eye move for Sporting star Morten Hjulmand amid Juventus interest”
