From Portugal: Hugo Viana changing Manchester City targets ahead of summer

Manchester City’s interest in Morten Hjulmand had started to look like one of the more concrete midfield moves heading into the summer window.

The Sporting CP captain has been heavily linked with a move away in recent weeks. Reports from Portugal suggested City had already made informal contacts, while the presence of Hugo Viana – who signed Hjulmand from Lecce – appeared to give the Premier League side a clear advantage.

At the same time, other clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Juventus have also been circling, reinforcing the idea that the 26-year-old is one of the most in-demand defensive midfielders on the market.

However, the picture is now far less straightforward.

Sporting stance and Rui Borges…