Jose Mourinho has wasted no time making his mark at Real Madrid, reportedly instructing the club to prioritise a move for Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand ahead of rivals Manchester United and newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal this summer.
According to Spanish outlet Cadena COPE, Mourinho — set to return to the Bernabeu 13 years after his first spell — has already held talks with club president Florentino Perez about potential transfer targets. The Portuguese manager is believed to have been impressed by Hjulmand during his brief tenure at Benfica and has personally pushed for the move.
A Price Tag That Could Unlock the Deal
Sporting CP are in no rush to sell their skipper, but reports suggest a bid in the region of €50 million (£43m) could be sufficient to secure the 26-year-old Denmark international, whose contract runs until June 2028. Hjulmand reportedly came close to leaving the Lisbon club last year before ultimately staying put with the promise of a summer exit.
Mourinho’s Broader Vision for Madrid’s Rebuild
Beyond midfield reinforcements, Mourinho faces the broader challenge of restoring stability at a club that has endured a trophyless season and significant dressing room unrest under caretaker boss Alvaro Arbeloa. He is also said to be eyeing additions to his coaching staff, with former midfielder Toni Kroos emerging as a possible candidate for a backroom role.
Madrid are expected to formally confirm Mourinho’s two-year appointment once the season concludes.