Manchester United are believed to have a ‘significant advantage’ in signing an alternative midfield target to Atalanta’s Ederson and Palmeiras’ Richard Rios, according to stunning reports.
Ederson has been linked with Manchester United and the Red Devils are keen to add a new midfield option to Ruben Amorim’s ranks at Old Trafford this summer.
The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder has been at Atalanta since 2022 after he left Italian side Salernitana and he is under contract with the Serie A club until 2027.
United face no easy task in signing Ederson and Atalanta are expected to be holding out for around £51.7m (€60m) before allowing him to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Joining Ederson on United’s potential midfielder targets is Richard Rios, who impressed with Brazilian outfit Palmeiras at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
Richard Rios has been linked with United in recent weeks and Brazilian Serie A club have valued the 25-year-old Colombia midfielder at around €30m fee this summer.
Man Utd to now pursue Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand amid their interest in Atalanta’s Ederson and Palmeiras’ Richard Rios
Morten Hjulmand has attracted Manchester United’s interest and the Red Devils could try to reunite the Sporting CP captain with Ruben Amorim this summer.
The 26-year-old Danish defensive midfielder played under United manager Amorim, who was the head coach of Sporting CP ahead of his arrival at Old Trafford in 2024.
Morten Hjulmand ascended to the captaincy at Sporting after Sebastian Coates’ departure and he is currently under contract with the Portuguese outfit until 2028.
According to Stretty News, the Sporting star is now ‘considered a priority target’ for the Red Devils and United ‘might face some competition’ over his signature this summer.
The outlet added that Atalanta star Ederson and Palmeiras ace Richard Rios are ‘still being considered’ as potential options for former Sporting head coach Amorim.
Hjulmand has been at the Estadio Jose Alvalade since 2023 after he was signed from Italian side Lecce and the midfielder currently has a £69.5m (€80m) release clause.
Man Utd’s transfer competition to sign Sporting CP and Denmark midfielder Morten Hjulmand and their major advantage
Stretty News reports that Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus and Barcelona are all interested in the United-linked Morten Hjulmand.
It is believed that the aforementioned six European heavyweight clubs are ‘keeping tabs on the player’ and could make a move for him amid United’s interest.
However, it is suggested United are best poised to land Hjulmand from Sporting CP and the Red Devils hold a ‘significant advantage’ in the race to sign him.
It is believed that Amorim’s connection with the Sporting skipper and his ‘presence at Carrington’ would be a ‘relishing’ prospect for Hjulmand to make the move.
Despite holding a £69.5m release clause, it has been claimed that Sporting could allow Denmark ace Hjulmand to leave for a fee in ‘the region of €50-60 million.’
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