Lecce rejected an £11m Premier League offer for Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Southampton target Morten Hjulmand during the January transfer window, the Serie A club’s president told Rai GR Parliament.
During his first season back in the big time, Lecce has 13he, seven points above the relegation zone, and well placed to ensure survival well ahead of schedule. But that doesn’t mean i giallorossi they are taking their top-notch status for granted.
Lecce received an eight-figure offer for club captain Hjulmand last month. But, according to Saverio Sticchi Damiani, the former Copenhagen enforcer was never going anywhere in the middle of the season. Not when Lecce can still being dragged back into the mud.
Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Southampton as Morten Hjulmand
“In addition to being our captain, he is a source of pride,” says the Lecce president.
“He was almost born in 2000, and such a young captain is a strong sign. (Director Pantaleo) Corvino brought him in Admira Wacker, where he didn’t even start.
“In January we received an offer of 13 million (euro) from the Premier League. But we have important goals. It is a luxury that we can afford (to keep Hjulmand) thanks to our policy. The boy is happy”.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Lecce values Hjulmand closer to £18m. The former Denmark under-21 international is reportedly on the radar of Leeds, Nottingham Forest and a Southampton side that struck a deal on Tuesday to make former Elland Road boss Jesse Marsch their third manager in current campaign boss (The Guardian).
Meanwhile, Hjulmand’s physicality and aggression suggest that he would fit in quite well in the Premier League. Especially at a club known for his high-pressure style.
“He’s a very, very professional player,” says fellow Dane Mikkel Damsgaard, now at Brentford (TV2). “He always works incredibly hard, and I know that he has made some very important steps in Lecce.
“He has done absolutely fantastic. I definitely think he could well become a long-term national team player.”
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