Ruben Amorim hasn’t even fully unpacked at Milanello yet, but he’s already eyeing a familiar face to anchor his midfield. Morten Hjulmand, the Danish midfielder who wore the armband for Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, could follow his old boss to Serie A this summer — and at a serious discount.
According to reports out of Italy, Hjulmand is available for around €45 million. That’s a bargain considering his release clause sits at €80 million. The catch? The lower price only exists because of a handshake deal Hjulmand made with Sporting about 12 months ago. He agreed to stay in Lisbon for one more season, and in return the club promised to let him leave in 2026 for a preferential fee.
That promise now puts Milan in a strong negotiating position, even if €45 million is still a lot of cash for a club that won’t be getting Champions League revenue next season. The Rossoneri missed out on Europe’s top table, and that changes your math when you’re shopping for a starting midfielder.
Why Hjulmand makes sense tactically
Under Max Allegri, Milan’s midfield was built around a low-lying playmaker who sprayed passes from deep. That’s not what Amorim wants. His 3-4-2-1 system demands a ball-winning regista who can operate in transition, snap into tackles, and start attacks quickly. Hjulmand checks those boxes in a way Allegri’s guy never really did.
Hjulmand joined Sporting from Lecce for €20 million back in 2023 and has nearly tripled his market value since. He’s become one of the most important players in Lisbon, both on the field and in the locker room. Amorim handed him the captaincy, and the two have a relationship that goes beyond the typical coach-player dynamic.
That reunion angle is real. Amorim trusts Hjulmand. He knows exactly what he’s getting. That matters when you’re installing a new system and need someone who can translate instructions into action on the pitch.
Milan isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket, though. Samuele Ricci is also on the board as a potential homegrown solution. Ricci has spent most of his career as a defensive-minded midfielder rather than a mezzala, and he’s already at the club. But he doesn’t bring the same leadership or the same history with Amorim.
No decision has been made yet. Milan’s front office is still working through the budget and weighing options. But if Amorim gets his way, Hjulmand could be lining up in red and black when next season kicks off.
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