Ruben Amorim is reportedly looking to bring Morten Hjulmand to AC Milan this summer. The Danish midfielder has been identified as the ideal player to anchor the midfield in Amorim’s new 3-4-2-1 formation. Crucially, Hjulmand is available for significantly less than his €80 million release clause.
Hjulmand joined Sporting CP from Lecce in the summer of 2023 for €20 million. Since then, he has become a pivotal figure for the club, earning the captaincy and seeing his market value nearly triple.
His development at Sporting was heavily influenced by Amorim himself. This existing relationship makes a reunion particularly compelling as the Portuguese coach embarks on his project at Milan, according to CalcioMercato.
Sporting’s Promise to Hjulmand Could Facilitate €45m Milan Deal, Ricci Considered as Alternative
A key factor in this potential transfer is a private agreement Hjulmand made with Sporting twelve months ago. In exchange for agreeing to stay in Lisbon for another season, the club reportedly promised to allow him to depart in 2026 for a preferential fee of €45 million, rather than the full release clause.
This understanding puts Milan in a strong negotiating position. However, the €45 million fee still represents a substantial investment for a club not currently participating in the Champions League.
From a tactical standpoint, Hjulmand offers a fundamental shift from a more defensive playmaker to a dynamic, ball-winning regista, which is precisely what Amorim’s high-pressing system requires.
Alternatively, AC Milan is also considering Samuele Ricci as an ‘in-house’ solution for the Rossoneri. Ricci has spent the majority of his career operating as a more defensively oriented midfielder, rather than an attacking one.
