Amorim faces release clause headache for his ‘captain’

Robin Bairner

Updated: 15 Aug 2025 08:48 BST
5 min read

Manchester United are showing signs that they could be about to give up their chase for Carlos Baleba, with Ruben Amorim instead tipped to look elsewhere for a central midfielder.

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The Red Devils are desperate to add another No.6 to their ranks, and Brighton star Baleba is seen as the dream target for the Old Trafford club.

Current ETV

Morten Hjulmand

M, DM (C)

Sporting CP

Morten Hjulmand

M, DM (C)

Sporting CP

ETV Range

€49.4M - €60.4M

But the Seagulls have placed an asking price of around €120 million (£100m) on the head of the 26-year-old star, seemingly putting him out of reach for the Red Devils.

Amorim’s men are, therefore, looking at alternatives. FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that one of the players they could turn to is Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber, but rumours have emerged linking them with a move for Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand.

Amorim faces release clause frustration

Described as “Amorim’s captain” in the Portuguese media, Denmark international star Hjulmand is seen as a perfect fit for the Man Utd manager’s system. He is a physical monster and backs this up with impressive defensive figures, offering the type of screen that the Red Devils’ defence has been crying out for.

Earlier this summer, he had a release clause that could have been triggered for €80m. According to Record, that offer expired on 15 June, meaning that United will have to negotiate directly with Sporting to get a deal over the line.

At this late stage in the transfer market, that appears to be a distant possibility. Sporting already made it difficult for Viktor Gyokeres to leave for Arsenal, and they are unlikely to be willing to see Hjulmand depart now.

The former Lecce player has already told Frederico Varandas, the president of the Lisbon side, that he will spend another year at the club. He has effectively turned down Juventus with this stance while it will not change for Amorim and Man Utd, it is claimed.

Indeed, Sporting will not allow any of their regular starters to depart before the end of the transfer market.

Priced out of a move

Man Utd were reticent to look at a move for Hjulmand even when the €80m price was on his head, according to insider Duncan Castles.

Speaking to The Transfers Podcast earlier this month, he said: "I do not see Man Utd having the wherewithal to pay the release clause for the 26-year-old. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is very high for a player from the Portuguese league at €54.9m, which gives you an indication of the level of his talent," Castles explained on the latest episode of The Transfers Podcast.

"Obviously, it would be a great acquisition for Amorim if he could make it happen because he would be getting a player he knows and trusts, knows what he is capable of doing, who knows his system inside out. But that one looks very difficult for United to do."

Amorin, then, will have to look elsewhere for Man Utd's new midfield star.

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