“Here we go” – Arsenal to miss out on bargain midfield transfer after Fabrizio Romano’s morning update

Atletico Madrid are reportedly closing in on the transfer of Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand in a €40m deal.

The Denmark international has shone during his time in Portugal, and it’s no surprise that he’s now been snapped up by a big club in a more competitive league.

We’ve previously been informed that Arsenal were among the clubs to ask about Hjulmand, and it makes sense as the Gunners have been in the market for a new midfielder.

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Sporting and Atléti agreed all terms and start paperwork exchange today for €40m fee plus add-ons.

Danish midfielder joins until June 2031 and he will fly to Madrid TODAY. ?? pic.twitter.com/DoYps2edfJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2026

???? BREAKING: Morten Hjulmand to Atlético Madrid, here we go! ???

Sporting and Atléti agreed all terms and start paperwork exchange today for €40m fee plus add-ons.

Danish midfielder joins until June 2031 and he will fly to Madrid TODAY. ?? pic.twitter.com/DoYps2edfJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2026

Posting on X this morning, Romano said: “BREAKING: Morten Hjulmand to Atlético Madrid, here we go! Sporting and Atléti agreed all terms and start paperwork exchange today for €40m fee plus add-ons. Danish midfielder joins until June 2031 and he will fly to Madrid TODAY.”

This can basically be treated as a done deal at this point, barring any late surprises, so Arsenal will now have to hope moves for other targets come off.

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Arsenal focusing on Guimaraes but could Hjulmand have been better?

Guimaraes is Premier League-proven, and it’s fair to say that clubs might justifiably feel it’s worth paying extra for that as you never know how a player from the Portuguese league will adjust to the big step up in terms of both quality and physicality in the English top flight.

£55m already rejected, second approach at £65m package rejected too — fee in between £65m and £90m could accelerate talks.

Bruno told Newcastle last week that he wants #AFC move but won’t create… pic.twitter.com/DPa3QyMJpE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2026

???? Arsenal prepare new official bid for Bruno Guimarães: Arteta wants him. ??

£55m already rejected, second approach at £65m package rejected too — fee in between £65m and £90m could accelerate talks.

Bruno told Newcastle last week that he wants #AFC move but won’t create… pic.twitter.com/DPa3QyMJpE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2026

If it’s closer to £65-70m, then that would be good business for the Premier League champions, but any higher than that and it’s a huge sum for a player who’s turning 29 later this year.

Hjulmand is younger and a lot cheaper, so could perhaps have been a smart bit of business if they’d followed through with their interest.