Arsenal are expected to strengthen their midfield again during the summer transfer window.
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi remain Mikel Arteta’s first-choice pairing, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is slowly beginning to establish himself as another serious option.
However, with the demands of competing in multiple competitions every season, the Gunners still need more quality and depth in midfield.
Several names have been linked in recent weeks, but the latest player to emerge on Arsenal’s radar is Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
🤔 Which midfield target should Andrea Berta prioritise at Arsenal this summer?
Arsenal want to sign Morten Hjulmand
Hjulmand has developed into one of the best midfielders in Portuguese football during his time at Sporting CP.
The Denmark international is admired for his leadership, aggression out of possession and ability to control games in midfield.
Those qualities have naturally attracted attention from several top clubs across Europe.
CM Jornal now claim that both Arsenal and Manchester United are leading the race to sign him this summer.
Sporting were close to losing Hjulmand at the beginning of the season, but they reached an agreement with the player to allow him to leave this summer instead.
It is believed that a fee in the region of €40 million could be enough to complete a deal despite the midfielder having an €80 million release clause in his contract.
Given Arsenal’s need for another high-level midfield option, it is easy to understand why Andrea Berta is interested.
Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Morten Hjulmand already has an Arsenal tattoo
What makes this story even more interesting is Hjulmand’s personal connection to Arsenal.
The midfielder grew up supporting the Gunners and has openly spoken about his love for the club in the past. In fact, Hjulmand has an Arsenal tattoo on his left arm.
The Dane’s affection for Arsenal is said to have begun when he was a child watching matches alongside his father.
Hjulmand has also admitted that Patrick Vieira was his football idol growing up, which explains why Arsenal’s style and history resonated so strongly with him.
Speaking previously, the midfielder said, as per Football London: “My dad supported Arsenal, and we watched games together when we were younger.”
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
