Atletico Madrid Secures Hjulmand, Drops Gomes Amid Mendes Rift

Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid has reportedly secured a comprehensive agreement on personal terms with Morten HjulmandPlayer·Morten Hjulmand, the captain of Sporting CPTeam·Sporting CP, as the Spanish club moves to bolster its midfield ahead of the upcoming campaign. The Danish international is expected to sign a five-year contract, which would see his annual salary increase from €2 million to €6 million, according to reports.

The focus for Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid now shifts to finalizing a transfer fee with Sporting CPTeam·Sporting CP. While Hjulmand's contract with the Portuguese club runs until 2028 and includes an €80 million release clause, a deal is anticipated to be concluded in the range of €35 million to €40 million, potentially reaching €45 million.

This pursuit of Hjulmand marks a significant pivot for Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid, who had previously shown interest in Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao GomesPlayer·Joao Gomes. The decision to abandon the pursuit of Gomes stems from a reported breakdown in relations between Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid and super-agent Jorge Mendes, who represents the Brazilian midfielder.

The rift between the club and Mendes reportedly originated during negotiations for Bernardo SilvaPlayer·Bernardo Silva. Advanced talks with Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid for Silva were abruptly halted when the player reportedly considered an offer from rival Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, a situation attributed to Mendes's handling of the discussions. This incident led to a strained relationship, ultimately influencing Atletico's transfer strategy.

Hjulmand, a 27-year-old defensive midfielder, has been a key figure for Sporting CPTeam·Sporting CP. His potential arrival would provide a robust presence in Atletico's midfield. Sporting CPTeam·Sporting CP, in anticipation of Hjulmand's departure, has already moved to secure a replacement, signing Spanish midfielder Sergi AltimiraPlayer·Sergi Altimira from Real BetisTeam·Real Betis for €18.5 million.

Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid's strategic shift underscores the complex interplay of player talent, financial considerations, and agent relationships in the modern transfer market. The club's determination to reinforce its squad has led them to a significant investment in Hjulmand, signaling their intent for the 2026/27 season.