Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand harbours a childhood dream of playing for Arsenal.
The Denmark international has been a key player for Sporting CP across the past three seasons and is widely expected to leave the club this summer.
Juventus were credited with an interest in signing Hjulmand last summer, but the midfielder chose to stay in Lisbon under a gentleman’s agreement to depart twelve months later.
A Bola now claim that the Premier League path remains “very active” for Hjulmand, with Arsenal among the clubs who could make a move.
Despite holding a £69 million release clause in his Sporting CP contract, the midfielder will reportedly be permitted to leave for a package of between £34 million and £43 million this summer.
Arsenal signed Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi to reinforce their defensive midfield options last summer, though results have been mixed for both players.
Zubimendi was a consistent presence for much of the campaign before losing form and appearing fatigued in the closing stages, with Myles Lewis-Skelly eventually earning the nod to partner Declan Rice.
Norgaard played just over 100 minutes in the top-flight campaign under manager Mikel Arteta, with the Dane occasionally used in other competitions amid a visible lack of trust.
Norgaard has since been linked with a possible exit, which could accelerate if Arsenal were to recruit a marquee defensive midfielder this summer.
Hjulmand posted a passing accuracy of 93% in European competition during the 2025/26 season, while also winning almost six duels per game with two tackles and five recoveries.
His performances for Sporting CP on both domestic and Champions League stages have firmly established him as one of the most complete holding midfielders in Portuguese football.
At the reported asking price, Hjulmand would represent significant value for the Premier League champions given his consistent output and proven quality at the highest level.
The key question now is whether Arsenal will follow up on the Dane’s reported interest by making a formal approach to Sporting CP for his signature.