Sporting Lisbon has received an offer for young Manchester United talent Facundo Pellistri, proposing an exchange for defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
As United seeks a resurgence under head coach Erik ten Hag, bolstering the central midfield is a top priority amid a disappointing start to the season.
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The infusion of billionaire part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ignited hope for a turnaround, prompting efforts to revamp Ten Hag’s struggling team currently positioned in eighth on the Premier League table.
After investing approximately £230m in summer reinforcements, United is exploring additional targets to address midfield concerns, with Hjulmand emerging as a potential solution.
The Sun reports that United is open to swapping one of their promising talents, 22-year-old Pellistri, for the 24-year-old Denmark international.
Sporting, however, rejects the exchange proposal, insisting on United meeting the £69million release clause in Hjulmand’s contract for the deal to proceed.
Hjulmand, previously with Admira Wacker and Lecce, has impressed in his inaugural season in Portugal, contributing a goal and an assist in 13 Primeira Liga starts.
The report suggests that United’s midfielder Christian Eriksen, a close friend and mentor to Hjulmand, might play a pivotal role in enticing his compatriot to the northwest.
The highly regarded Dane, formerly a target for Championship side Southampton, is reportedly under the scrutiny of United scouts in both the Portuguese top flight and the Europa League this season.
United is presently missing summer loan addition Sofyan Amrabat in midfield. However, the impending return of Casemiro and Mason Mount, both making positive strides in their rehabilitation, is likely to boost head coach Ten Hag’s confidence in the midfield department in the upcoming weeks.
Following United’s FA Cup triumph against Wigan, Ten Hag expressed optimism about potential new recruits joining the club before the January transfer deadline.
‘We consider everything,’ said Ten Hag, when asked about loan signings,’ the Dutchman told reporters.
‘So what are the best interests of the players and also the best interests for us, the team, for Manchester United.
‘So we’ll see how we progress during the window.’
