Sporting star trio renew contracts as Morten Hjulmand eyes debut | OneFootball

The good news keeps flowing for Sporting fans. After making a winning start to the Primeira Liga last weekend, in which record signing Viktor Gyökeres enjoyed a dream debut, the Lions have this week given further indications that they mean serious business this season.

Three crucial cogs in Rúben Amorim’s squad that won the 2020/21 championship and who have been mainstays in the team ever since all signed contract renewals, while the capture of Danish midfield enforcer Morten Hjulmand was completed.

Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Gonçalo Inácio had all been the subject of transfer speculation in recent months, with centre-back Inácio reported to be on the cusp of a move to Tottenham Hotspur just a couple of days ago.

However, rumours of their exits have been quashed with all three players committing their immediate futures to the Lisbon club by signing improved and extended contracts.

Hjulmand a long-term target

Meanwhile, Sporting paid Italian club Lecce a fee of €18 million + €3m in add-ons for Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand.

The 24-year-old has signed a 5-year contract and becomes the second most expensive purchase in the club’s history, only surpassed by striker Viktor Gyökeres who was bought earlier in the summer.

“We’ve been after Morten for some time,” said Sporting coach Amorim. “He has a skillset that is completely different from our other midfielders, and he will complement all the others very well. We couldn’t be happier with all the options we now have for midfield.”

Amorim would not be drawn on whether Hjulmand would make his debut in tonight’s match against Casa Pia.

“Morten has been training. He’s played pre-season games, he’s in the squad, but you’ll have to wait and see if he starts.”

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