Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title and reached the finals of the Champions League and League Cup this past season.
However, the Gunners are not resting on their laurel as they look to bolster the squad to stage an even fiercer challenge next season.
Christian Norgaard joined Arsenal last summer, but has found himself behind Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
The Norwegian holding midfielder will likely be on the move soon, and the North London club must get a new anchor man to really push Zubimendi for the starting berth.
One player who has been linked is Sporting CP maestro Morten Hjulmand, who has caught the eye with his ball-winning and distribution.
The 26-year-old has an €80 million release clause, but he can be signed for around half of that figure with several clubs circling.
Apparently, his childhood dream is to play for Arsenal, and he will be open to joining the Premier League giants.
Hjulmand is an upgrade on Norgaard, and Arsenal should sign him
Norgaard has built his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable midfield destroyers, even before joining Arsenal.
His aggression, positional discipline and ability to shield the back four make him an excellent squad option, but Hjulmand offers a far more complete profile.
The Sporting captain combines defensive intensity with composure in possession, dictating the tempo instead of simply breaking up opposition attacks.
His passing through the lines, press resistance and calm decision-making would add another dimension to the Arsenal midfield.
That quality became noticeably absent during the second half of last season, when Arsenal often struggled to control games.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta should be pushing to make this deal happen.
Hjulmand could operate alongside Rice, Zubimendi, or even Myles Lewis Skelly to provide another secure outlet in possession.
The result would be a calmer, more authoritative Arsenal midfield capable of dominating on and off the ball.
