Lecce captain Morten Hjulmand is inches away from teaming up with Primeira Liga powerhouse Sporting Lisbon, states Fabrizio Romano. Negotiations between the clubs have reached the ‘final stages,’ with only the last details of personal terms left to be defined.
Despite being tracked by Milan and Roma, the 24-year-old will continue his career outside Serie A. He joined Lecce in January 2021 in a deal worth a mere €170,000 after two years at Admira Wacker. Fast forward two and a half years, Hjulmand is one of the senior members in Puglia.
But not for long. It’s now a matter of time before the Copenhagen youth academy graduate starts wearing the Sporting jersey. With one year left to run on his contract at Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce had no choice but to let their standout performer depart for Lisbon.
Strapped for cash, Lecce couldn’t hold on to Hjulmand, who has enjoyed a rise to stardom in Serie A. As Roberto D’Aversa’s crucial midfield component, he racked up 35 league appearances last season, delivering four assists but without scoring.
Replacing a player of Hjulmand’s quality and leadership skills won’t be easy. More so, with Lecce unable to afford expensive signings. Hamza Rafia and Ylber Ramadani have arrived at Via del Mare this summer. But it’s hard to envisage them filling the Danish midfielder’s shoes.
Lecce barely avoided relegation in their comeback Serie A campaign in 2022/23, finishing 16th in the standings. Without Hjulmand, their hopes of securing survival next term will be bleak.
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