Tottenham learn ‘conditions’ to sign £68m star as Thomas Frank receives transfer pitch
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is being strongly encouraged to make a bold move in the transfer market by bringing in Sporting CP’s influential midfielder Morten Hjulmand, according to Danish football legend Thomas Gravesen. However, prising the player away from Lisbon will not be straightforward, as Sporting have made it clear that any deal will only be considered if the full release clause is met.
Gravesen, a former Real Madrid and Everton star, has publicly advocated for his fellow countryman, urging Frank to make Hjulmand one of his top transfer priorities. The 25-year-old Denmark international has developed into one of the most reliable and combative midfielders in the Portuguese league, and Gravesen believes he could be the perfect signing to anchor the midfield in Frank’s new-look Spurs side.
Tottenham have already made a splash under their new head coach, finalizing the permanent signing of young forward Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich following a successful loan spell. But attention is now shifting toward reinforcing the spine of the team, particularly in defensive midfield—a position many consider to be one of the weaker areas in the current squad.
With the club aiming to build a balanced blend of youth and experience, Hjulmand could be a key component in mentoring up-and-coming midfielders like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Pape Matar Sarr. Despite their high potential, all three players are still in the development phase and would greatly benefit from a seasoned presence in the middle of the park.
Hjulmand, who captains Sporting and stands at an imposing 6ft 1in, has already amassed close to 300 senior appearances for both club and country. His leadership qualities, tactical intelligence, and physicality make him a standout candidate to bolster Spurs’ midfield options. Gravesen drew comparisons to another Dane Frank worked with during his time at Brentford, suggesting Hjulmand is a more complete version.
“He’s a true leader,” Gravesen told Viaplay. “Frank had Christian Nørgaard at Brentford for years, and while Nørgaard was excellent, Hjulmand is an even better version—and younger, too. That’s why I think Hjulmand should be Frank’s first major signing for Tottenham. He’s ready for the next step.”
However, any move for the Sporting captain will be costly. Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that Sporting have no intention of negotiating a lower fee, especially given the likelihood of also losing their star striker Viktor Gyökeres this summer. As a result, the only way a deal will be done is if the player’s full release clause—believed to be around £68 million—is met in full.
Tottenham aren’t the only club with an eye on Hjulmand. Manchester United are also expected to explore midfield reinforcements later in the transfer window, and the Danish international is reportedly on their radar. His solid performances under former Sporting manager Rúben Amorim left a lasting impression, and he hasn’t hidden his disappointment over Amorim’s departure from the club.
“Many of us at Sporting wanted to continue under Ruben Amorim,” Hjulmand revealed. “He’s a fantastic coach. We were on an 11-game winning streak and doing well in the Champions League. Everything felt smooth and structured—it was like playing PlayStation. Everyone understood their role. I even told him in front of the whole squad that we were genuinely disappointed he was leaving. We were counting on him to continue with us.”
Whether Frank and Tottenham’s board heed Gravesen’s advice and are willing to commit the sizeable funds needed to secure Hjulmand remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the midfield dynamo is earning admirers across Europe, and if Spurs wait too long, they may face stiff competition for one of Denmark’s finest modern-day midfield generals.