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Ruben Amorim aims to outmanoeuvre Manchester United and Manchester City in transfer race as new AC Milan boss targets two Sporting CP stars
Deepa Krishnaswamy | June 18, 2026 1:18 PM CST

Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed head coach of AC Milan, is reportedly preparing to challenge Manchester United and Manchester City in the transfer market as he looks to bring two of his former Sporting CP players, Morten Hjulmand and Francisco Trincao, to San Siro. The Portuguese tactician is eager to reunite with the duo who thrived under his management in Lisbon, potentially disrupting the Premier League giants' plans to sign the highly regarded Danish midfielder.

Amorim outlines key transfer priorities

As per a report from Sky Sport Italia, Amorim has already finalised his primary transfer goals in collaboration with the Rossoneri’s executive board. The 39-year-old coach is keen to add two familiar faces from Sporting, both of whom played pivotal roles in his previous squad. Hjulmand, who currently captains Sporting CP, and versatile forward Trincao have emerged as top candidates to spearhead Milan’s summer rebuild.

This move places the Serie A club in direct competition with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who have previously shown strong interest in the 26-year-old midfielder.

The tactical significance of the Sporting pair

Hjulmand’s situation is particularly noteworthy given that Manchester United have also been monitoring him closely. While Sporting were initially firm on his €80 million release clause when interest first intensified last year, reports now suggest the Portuguese side may be willing to negotiate a transfer fee between €40 million and €50 million.

Trincao, meanwhile, is valued by Amorim for his outstanding tactical flexibility, with the ability to operate effectively across all three attacking roles behind a central striker. Milan’s management believe signing the duo could inject a fresh sense of dynamism into their system, aligning perfectly with the club’s ambition to adopt a more modern and entertaining brand of football next season.

Cardinale endorses Amorim’s attacking vision

AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has given his full backing to Amorim’s appointment, emphasising their shared commitment to an energetic, attack-minded playing philosophy. Cardinale stated: “He is one of the most accomplished and forward-thinking coaches of the new European generation—young, ambitious, with a clear footballing identity and a well-defined tactical concept. Rúben believes in offensive, high-intensity football. His philosophy aligns seamlessly with our vision.”

The American investor remains convinced that supporting Amorim with his preferred transfer targets will speed up AC Milan’s progress both domestically and in Europe, marking the beginning of a bold new chapter for the historic club.

What lies ahead for the Rossoneri?

With pre-season fast approaching, AC Milan are set to make their initial offers to test Sporting’s stance before other contenders step in. Negotiations are expected to intensify swiftly as the Italian outfit seek to finalise both deals ahead of their summer training camp. Successfully landing Hjulmand and Trincao would send a strong message across Europe, signalling Milan’s intent to re-establish themselves as a dominant force under Amorim’s leadership.


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