Atletico Madrid is reportedly finalizing the transfer of Morten Hjulmand, the defensive midfielder from Sporting Lisbon, for a fee of €40m. The Denmark international has impressed during his time in Portugal, making his move to a prominent club in a more competitive league a logical step.

Previously, clubs like Arsenal had shown interest in Hjulmand, as they sought to strengthen their midfield. With Hjulmand’s transfer now confirmed, it seems Arsenal may have missed out on a valuable addition, especially considering Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes is likely to command a significantly higher price.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the terms between Sporting and Atletico Madrid have been agreed upon, with the necessary paperwork set to be exchanged. Hjulmand will join Atletico until June 2031 and is expected to travel to Madrid today.

This transfer can be regarded as nearly finalized, barring any unexpected developments. Arsenal will need to pivot and explore other options for their midfield needs.

While Arsenal focuses on Guimaraes, questions arise about whether Hjulmand could have been a more prudent choice. Guimaraes has proven himself in the Premier League, which may justify the higher price tag associated with him. The potential fee for Guimaraes could escalate to between £65m and £90m, raising considerations about the value of investing heavily in a player nearing 29 years of age.